JP4705350B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko gaming machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine having a plurality of types of stages (so-called set values) that determine a payout rate calculated based on a predetermined probability.

  A slot machine as an example of a gaming machine generally includes a variable display device having a plurality of (usually three) reels in which a plurality of types of symbols as identification information are drawn on the outer peripheral portion. Rotation starts when the player operates the start lever, and when the player operates the stop button provided corresponding to each reel, the range of the predetermined maximum delay time from the operation timing Stop rotating inside. Then, a prize is generated according to the display mode derived when the rotation of all the reels is stopped.

  In order for a winning of each combination determined for each slot machine to occur, generally, a winning flag must be set by winning an internal lottery performed in advance (usually when the start lever is operated). . In the internal lottery, a random number for internal lottery that is regularly updated by hardware or software is extracted, and the value of the extracted random number is stored in a winning determination table prepared according to the set value, the number of bets, and the gaming state. By comparing, it is determined whether or not each combination determined according to the gaming state has been won.

  Here, the winning probability of each combination in the internal lottery can be changed according to the set value so that the payout rate of medals in each slot machine can be varied in the game store. In other words, the game in the slot machine differs depending on the set value, but in order to prevent the game from being played with the set value recognized differently from the set value for performing the actual game, Some slot machines in which the control circuit is configured separately from the control board transmit a command including information on setting values for each game from the game control board to the effect control board (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-10381

  However, in the slot machine of Patent Document 1, there is a case where a slight time lag occurs although the actual setting value on the game control board and the setting value recognized on the effect control board are unified. In the period during which the setting value changing operation is performed, the effect control board recognizes that the gaming state before the setting value changing operation is continued. In this way, until the setting value changing operation is completed, the setting value and gaming state recognition on the effect control board continues before the changing operation. As a result, until the setting value change operation is completed, the previous setting value or the game state may continue to be played, and the user feels bothered while performing the setting value change operation. There was something that would let me.

  By the way, since the winning value of the internal lottery varies depending on the difference in the set value, it is an important issue to prevent fraud in this operation. Only a limited number of players, such as amusement store clerk, can change the set values properly. In this case, operate the various switches inside the chassis with the front door of the slot machine open. By doing so, the setting value is changed. That is, a valid setting value change operation cannot be performed unless the front door is opened.

  On the other hand, the various switches for performing the setting value changing operation are configured by electrical switches. For this reason, even if these switches are actuated by an external signal even when the front door is closed, the set value may be changed. Furthermore, since the winning probability of the special game is different depending on the set value in the pachinko gaming machine, the same problem as that in the slot machine occurs.

In the gaming machine having a plurality of types of stages in which a payout rate calculated based on a predetermined probability is determined, the present invention eliminates the troublesomeness at the time of changing the stage and performs an unauthorized change of the stage. The purpose is to prevent it.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention provides:
A gaming machine comprising setting change operation means (setting switch 91) that can be operated by opening the front door,
Game control means (game control board 101) for controlling the progress of the game and transmitting control information (command) according to the progress of the game;
An effect that includes control information transmitted from the game control means, controls execution of an effect related to at least the game based on the received control information, and includes a rewritable effect storage means (RAM 122). Control means (production control board 102),
The game control means includes
A pre-determining means (step S203) for pre-determining the occurrence of a predetermined winning with a predetermined probability;
A specific area (setting value work 112-3) for storing information indicating a stage (setting value) set for the payout rate calculated based on the predetermined probability, and an area for storing information regarding the progress of the game Game storage means (RAM 112) including a special area (special work 112-2) and a general area (general works 112-5 to 7) divided according to the importance of information to be stored;
An opening detection means (door opening sensor 95, step S107) for detecting whether or not the front door is open;
The opening detection means detects that the front door is in an open state (step S107 (NO)), and further changes permission start operation means (setting key) that can be operated by opening the front door. A change period start control means for establishing a predetermined setting change permission condition by operating the switch 92) (step S101 (YES)) and starting a setting change period;
In the setting modification period, it's particular at least the setting change operation means is operated, setting changing means for changing the stored in a specific area out (step S113, S115),
Stage display control means (step S109) for causing the display means to display the stage before the change in which information is stored in the game storage means when the setting change period is started;
Initialization control information transmitting means for transmitting initialization control information (setting change command) for instructing initialization of storage information in the effect storage means to the effect control means when the setting change period starts. Step S108)
A setting control information transmitting means (step S119) for transmitting setting control information (state command) including information on the set stage after the change when the setting change period ends (step S111 (YES)); ,
Initialization means (steps S116 and S117) for initializing information stored in the general area of the areas included in the game storage means when the setting is changed by the setting change means ;
The presentation control means initializes the information relating to the execution of at least effect of the stored information of the presentation storage means by receiving the initialization control information (step S607), by receiving the setting control information you store storing information relating to the set stage the presentation storage means (step S609)
It is characterized by that.

In the above gaming machine, the storage information relating to the execution of the effect in the effect storage means is initialized by the initialization control information transmitted when the setting change period starts. Thereby, while performing the change operation of a stage, the production based on the stage before a change is not continued in an effect control means, and annoyance is not felt. Information relating to the stage newly set by the setting control information transmitted when the setting change period ends is also stored in the effect storage means of the effect control means. Thereby, it becomes possible to perform an effect based on the stage after the change immediately after the stage is changed.

Further, the setting change operation means for changing the stage cannot be operated unless the front door is opened. Here, change but only if that is the setting change period can be made to change the phase by setting changing means, the setting change period is made operable by the front door in an open state Not only the permission start operation means is operated, but also the condition is that the front door itself is open. For this reason, a signal indicating that the change permission start operation means or the setting change operation means is operated by a signal operation from the outside of the gaming machine while the front door is closed is input, or a hole is made in the front door. Even if the change permission start operation means or the setting change operation means is operated illegally, the set stage will not be changed, so that the payout rate may be changed illegally due to an incorrect stage setting. Can be prevented.

In the above gaming machine,
When the change permission start operation means is operated when the opening detection means detects that the front door is closed (step S107 (YES)), the game control means is predetermined. It is possible to further include closed state notifying means (error notifying) for notifying the above information.

  In this case, when the change permission start operation means is operated illegally while the front door is closed, this is notified from the closed state notification means and notified to the outside. Such notification to the outside can prevent the payout rate from being illegally changed due to an unauthorized stage setting.

In the above gaming machine,
The effect control means, after receiving the initialization control information until it receives the setting control information, setting change notification unit (liquid crystal display for notifying the change of phase is performed by the setting changing means 4 and steps S608 and S611).

In this case, if a step change operation has been performed, this is notified from the step setting notification means and notified to the outside. Since it is understood that it is an unauthorized operation if it is not an authorized person's operation when such external notification is being made, the payout rate can be changed illegally by setting an incorrect stage. Can be prevented.

In the above gaming machine,
At least one of the initialization control information and the setting control information may be combined with other control information that the game control means transmits to the effect control means for the progress of the game.

Here, when the game control means initializes the storage information of the game storage means (RAM 112) provided in the game control means, initialization notification control information (initialization) for notifying that the initialization has been performed. In the case of further comprising initialization notification control information transmitting means (step S106) for transmitting a command)
The initialization control information may be used also as the initialization notification control information.

Further, when the game control means further includes a game state notification control information transmission means (step S208) for transmitting game state notification control information to be transmitted for notifying the game state,
The setting control information may be shared with the gaming state notification control information.

In this case, the type of control information can be limited, and the storage capacity required for the control information can be reduced. In addition, the load required for determining the type of control information in the effect control means can be reduced. In particular, by using the initialization control information also as the initialization notification control information, it is possible to initialize the storage information related to the performance of the effect storage means in accordance with the initialization of the storage information of the game storage means. In addition, by using the setting control information together with the game state notification control information transmitted in each game, it is possible to reliably prevent the recognition of the set stage in the game control means and the effect control means in each game. it can.

The above gaming machine is
A pulse generation circuit (115a) for generating a pulse signal of a predetermined frequency;
An n-bit (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) array data signal is inverted alternately between the first level and the second level every time a pulse signal is input from the pulse generation circuit, and Each time the level of the (m-1) th bit (m is an integer of 2 or more: m ≦ n) from the lower level is inverted from the first level to the second level, the level of the mth bit from the lower level is changed to the first level. A counter circuit (lower counter 115b, upper counter 115c) that alternately inverts and outputs at two levels;
When a predetermined extraction condition resulting from the player's operation is satisfied, the n-bit array data signal output from the counter circuit is latched, and the bit order of the latched n-bit array data signal is changed. It is further possible to further include a latch circuit (sampling circuit 116) that outputs the signal.

Here, the game control means is
Input means for inputting the n-bit array data signal output from the latch circuit as it is into the determination area of the game control means as determination numerical data (random number for internal lottery) for making a predetermined determination regarding the progress of the game When,
Game progress determining means (step S203) for making a predetermined determination (internal lottery) regarding the progress of the game according to the value of the numerical data for determination input to the numerical data input means. .

The game control means includes
Input means (step S402) for inputting an n-bit array data signal output from the latch circuit as n-bit numeric data without changing the bit array order to a specific area (general-purpose register 111GR) provided in the game control means; ,
The specific bit data of the n-bit numerical data input to the specific area is replaced with the other bit data of the numerical data (step S403), and the n-bit replacement that has been performed is performed. Numerical data is input to a determination area included in the game control means as numerical data for determination (random number for internal lottery) for making a predetermined determination regarding the progress of the game (step S405). b)) and
Game progress determining means (step S203) for making a predetermined determination (internal lottery) regarding the progress of the game according to the value of the numerical data for determination input to the numerical data input means. .

  Here, for the numerical data corresponding to the n-bit array data signal extracted from the counter circuit, the replacement numerical data obtained by replacing the data of the specific bit with the data of the other bits by the replacement means is used as the determination numerical data. It is supposed to be entered. For this reason, the periodicity of the numerical data for determination can be lost, and it is possible to prevent a target from being targeted with respect to a predetermined decision regarding the progress of the game. Moreover, the periodicity of the numerical data input by the input means can be lost only by exchanging specific bits in the game control microcomputer, and the processing load does not increase so much without providing a special circuit.

The game control means includes
Input means for inputting the n-bit array data signal output from the latch circuit into the specific area (general-purpose register 111GR) included in the game control means as first numeric data of n bits without changing the bit array order (see FIG. 14)
Numerical value updating means (refresh register 111R) for updating the second numerical data at a predetermined timing;
Numerical value extracting means (FIG. 14) for extracting second numerical data updated by the numerical value updating means when the predetermined extraction condition is satisfied;
The second numerical data extracted by the numerical value extraction means for the upper k bits in the first numerical data of the upper k bits (k is a natural number: k <n) and the lower j bits (j = n−k) is used. Calculating means (FIG. 14) for performing a predetermined calculation;
The game control means as the determination numerical data (random number for internal lottery) for making a predetermined decision regarding the progress of the game, the operation result numerical data composed of the upper k bits and the lower j bits after the operation by the operation means Numerical data input means (FIG. 14) for inputting to the determination area included in
Game progress determining means (step S203) for making a predetermined determination (internal lottery) regarding the progress of the game according to the value of the numerical data for determination input to the numerical data input means. .

  Here, for the upper k bits of the first numerical data corresponding to the n-bit array data signal extracted from the counter circuit, the second numerical data extracted from the numerical value updating means by the numerical value extracting means is used to obtain a predetermined value. The calculation result numerical data obtained by the calculation is input as determination numerical data. Rather than performing the operation on the first numerical data as it is using the second numerical data, the numerical value indicated by the operational numerical data is obtained by performing the operation on the upper k bits of the first numerical data. Becomes larger. For this reason, the periodicity of the numerical data for determination can be lost, and it is possible to prevent a target from being targeted with respect to a predetermined decision regarding the progress of the game. In addition, the periodicity of the first numerical data input by the input means can be lost only by extracting the second numerical data from the numerical value updating means and calculating the upper k bits in the game control microcomputer. The processing load does not increase so much without providing a simple circuit.

The game control means includes
Input means for inputting the n-bit array data signal output from the latch circuit into the specific area (general-purpose register 111GR) included in the game control means as first numeric data of n bits without changing the bit array order (see FIG. 15)
First numerical value updating means (refresh register 111R) for updating the second numerical data at a predetermined timing;
Second numerical value updating means (refresh register 111R) for updating third numerical data different from the second numerical data at a predetermined timing;
A first numerical value extracting means (FIG. 15) for extracting second numerical data from the first numerical value updating means when a predetermined extraction condition is satisfied;
Second numerical value extraction means (FIG. 15) for extracting third numerical data from the second numerical value update means when a predetermined extraction condition is satisfied;
The second numerical value extracted by the first numerical value extraction means for the upper k bits in the first numerical data of the upper k bits (k is a natural number: k <n) and the lower j bits (j = n−k). Calculation means (FIG. 15) for performing a predetermined calculation using data and performing a predetermined calculation using the third numerical data extracted by the second numerical value extraction means for the lower j bits;
The operation result numerical data composed of the upper k bits after the operation by the operation means and the lower j bits after the operation are used as determination numerical data (random numbers for internal lottery) for making a predetermined decision regarding the progress of the game. Numerical data input means (FIG. 14) for inputting into the determination area provided in the game control means;
Game progress determining means (step S203) for making a predetermined determination (internal lottery) regarding the progress of the game according to the value of the numerical data for determination input to the numerical data input means. .

  Here, for the upper k bits and the lower j bits of the first numerical data corresponding to the n-bit array data signal extracted from the counter circuit, the second numerical data extracted from the numerical value updating means by the numerical value extracting means is used. Calculation result numerical data obtained by performing a predetermined calculation using the data is input as determination numerical data. The numerical value indicated by the arithmetic result numerical data is not calculated by using the second numerical data as it is for the first numerical data, but by performing an operation on the upper k bits of the first numerical data. Variations increase. The variation is further increased by performing an operation on the lower j bits. For this reason, the periodicity of the numerical data for determination can be lost, and it is possible to prevent a target from being targeted with respect to a predetermined decision regarding the progress of the game. In addition, the first and second numerical value data extracted from the first and second numerical value updating means in the game control microcomputer and the calculation with respect to the upper k bits and the lower j bits are only input by the input means. The periodicity of numerical data can be lost, and a processing load does not increase so much without providing a special circuit.

The above gaming machine is
Instead of the counter circuit and the latch circuit, a separate control unit that is provided outside the game control unit and outputs the first numerical data to the game control unit may be provided.
In this case, the control means is updated by the numerical data updating means for updating numerical data in the same manner as the data signal updating method in the counter circuit, and the numerical value updating means is updated when a predetermined extraction condition is satisfied. Numerical value extraction means for extracting numerical data (as first numerical data) and outputting it to the game control means can be provided. As a result, numerical data (as first numerical data) output from the control means by the input means is input to the specific area.

  Further, the arithmetic means adds, subtracts, and performs a logical operation (logical sum, logical product, etc.) on the upper k bits of the first numerical data, and performs the predetermined operation. Arithmetic can be performed. Further, the predetermined calculation can be performed by performing addition, subtraction, logical operation (logical sum, logical product, etc.) using the third numerical data for the lower j bits. An overflow or underflow caused by the result of the operation can be adjusted in the respective ranges of the upper k bits and the lower j bits.

Furthermore, the frequency of the pulse signal generated by the pulse generation circuit is preferably different from the frequency of the operation clock of the game control microcomputer (the operation clock of the CPU 111).
Here, it is more preferable that the frequency of the pulse signal is larger than the frequency of the operation clock.

  In this case, the update of the (first) numerical data input by the data signal latched from the counter circuit is not synchronized with the processing cycle of the game control microcomputer. In particular, by making the frequency of the pulse signal larger than the frequency of the operation clock, the update speed of the numerical data input by the data signal latched from the counter circuit can be increased, which is more effective in preventing aiming.

The gaming machine can start a game by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game, for example, and a variable display device (variable) that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information each of which can be identified. It may be a slot machine in which one game is completed when the display result is derived to the display device 2) and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device. In this case,
The game control means includes
Before the display result is derived on the variable display device for each game, the numerical data updated within a predetermined range at a predetermined timing is used as the determination numerical data for determining a predetermined game progress. Numerical data input means (step S301) for inputting into the determination area provided in the control means;
A determination value indicating the number of determination values that the predetermination means determines to permit derivation for the determination numerical data input to the determination area for any one or more types of winning display results Data (number of judgment values) is stored in common for the plurality of types of stages (a common flag for setting values is set), and two or more types of winnings in which judgment value data is not stored in common for the stages are stored. With respect to the display result, determination value data indicating the number of determination values that the pre-determining means determines to permit derivation of the determination numerical data input to the determination area, Determination value data storage means (FIG. 4: table according to gaming state, FIG. 5: storage area for the number of determination values) for storing individually (a common flag for the set value is not set) according to
In response to the judgment value data stored in the judgment value data storage means corresponding to the stage set by the setting change means, the judgment numerical data input to the judgment area is displayed for each type of the winning display result. It is determined whether or not derivation is permitted (steps S307 and S308), and a decision to permit derivation of the type of winning display result determined to indicate that derivation is permitted is related to the game. Predetermining means (step S311) performed as a predetermined determination may be further provided.

  In this case, the determination value data storage means stores determination value data common to a plurality of types of stages for any one or more types of winning display results. Thus, for one or more types of winning display results in which determination value data is stored in common for a plurality of types of stages, the storage capacity required for storing the determination value data may be small.

  Note that storing the judgment value data individually according to the type of stage does not necessarily mean that the judgment value data is stored individually for the number of stage types, but is common to all types of stages. If the judgment value data is not stored, it is included in this. For example, when there are six types of stages (the first stage to the sixth stage), the judgment value data is used as the stage type even when the first to third stages are common and the fourth to sixth stages are common. It will be memorized separately according to.

Further, the plurality of types of stages that can be set by the setting change unit do not mean that the ratios that allow the pre-determining unit to derive a winning display result must be different from each other in all types, It is sufficient that the allowable ratio in some types is different from the allowable ratio in other types. However, it does not preclude being different in all types.

When the gaming machine is the slot machine,
The predetermination means sequentially inputs the judgment value data stored in the judgment value data storage means corresponding to the stage set by the setting change means into the judgment area for each type of winning display result. Addition means (step S307) for adding to the numerical value data for determination is provided, and it is determined whether or not the addition result of the addition means has exceeded the predetermined range (overflow) (step S308). It can be determined that it indicates that the derivation of the winning display result of the type corresponding to the determination value data added when it is determined that the predetermined range is exceeded (step S308 ( YES)).

  In this case, after the determination value data is extracted from the determination value data storage means for each type of the winning display result, the numerical value data for the determination value is added to the determination value data, thereby allowing the derivation of the winning display result of that type as it is. Whether or not to do so can be determined. That is, the processing efficiency is high because there is no need to register the determination value for each winning display result in the allowable determination value registration means based on the determination value data.

The pre-determining means uses the determination value data stored in the determination value data storage means corresponding to the type of the stage set by the setting change means, instead of the adding means, as a winning display result. Subtraction means for subtracting from the numerical value data for determination input to the determination area sequentially for each type may be provided. in this case,
The determination unit determines whether or not the subtraction result of the subtraction unit is smaller than the predetermined range, and performs subtraction when it is determined that the subtraction result is smaller than the predetermined range based on the determination result. It can be determined that it indicates that the derivation of the winning display result of the type corresponding to the determination value data is permitted.

In the case where the gaming machine is the slot machine,
The game control means sets a bet number of any kind of bet number stages (1, 2, or 3) for each game from among a plurality of kinds of bet number stages determined as the predetermined number of bets. A bet number setting means (step S202) may be further provided.
The determination value data storage means is the pre-determination means for the determination numerical data input to the determination area for two or more types of winning display results for which determination value data is not stored in common with the stage. The decision value data indicating the number of decision values that are determined to be permitted to be derived is stored individually (the common flag for the BET number is not set) according to the type of the stage and the betting number stage. be able to. here,
The pre-determining means corresponds to the judgment value data stored in the judgment value data storage means corresponding to the stage set by the setting changing means and the betting number stage set by the betting number setting means, It can be determined whether or not the determination numerical data input to the determination area indicates that derivation is permitted for each type of the winning display result.

  In this case, there is also a winning display result with different probabilities that the derivation allowance is determined depending on the set bet number stage type, but the determination value data storage means stores the determination value data of such a winning display result. Each of the stages and the betting number stage is stored separately. The determination value data of the winning display result for which derivation permission is determined regardless of the type of the betting number may be stored in the determination value data storage means in common. Less capacity is required.

In addition, in the case of having the betting number setting means (the setting change means may or may not be provided)
The determination value data storage means determines that the prior determination means permits the derivation of the determination numerical data input to the determination area for any one or more types of winning display results. Determination value data indicating the number of determination values is stored in common for the plurality of types of betting number stages (a common flag for the BET number is set), and determination value data is stored in common for the betting number stages. A determination value indicating the number of determination values that the predetermination means determines to permit derivation of the determination numerical data input to the determination area for two or more types of winning display results that are not The data may be stored individually (a common flag for the BET number is set) according to the type of the betting number stage. In this case,
The pre-determining means is a judgment numerical value input to the judgment area in accordance with judgment value data stored in the judgment value data storage means corresponding to the betting number stage set by the betting number setting means. A determination means for determining whether or not the data indicates that derivation is allowed for each type of the winning display result, and the type of winning display that is determined by the determination means to indicate that derivation is permitted It can be decided to allow the derivation of the result.

In the case where the gaming machine is the slot machine,
The game storage means has a first storage area (area below the special work 112-2) for storing data to be deleted when there is an abnormality in the stored data, and the stage is changed by the setting change means A second storage area (area below important work 112-4) for storing data to be deleted when it is played, and a second storage area for storing data to be deleted when there is a transition of a gaming state between specific gaming states 3 that the storage area (generally work I112-5 following areas), and a fourth storage area for storing data to be erased when the first game is completed (generally work III112-7 following areas) are provided in order it may be with. In this case,
The game control means, when erasing data stored in the game storage means, data erasure means for erasing data stored in all the storage areas after the storage area according to the trigger of erasure of the data (Steps S104, S117, S514, S516: RAM clear processing) may be further provided.

  In this case, if the head position to be erased is designated in the game storage means according to the trigger for erasing the data, the data in the game storage means can be transferred in the same process regardless of the trigger for the data erase. Can be erased. This eliminates the need for data for finely designating a storage area from which data is to be erased according to the trigger of data erasure.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine according to this embodiment. The slot machine 1 includes a housing main body and a front door configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing main body. FIG. 1 shows a case where the front door is closed. The front door of the slot machine 1 can be opened by inserting a key into the locking device 19 and rotating it clockwise. Whether or not the front door is in an open state is detected by a door open sensor 95 (see FIG. 2) provided at a contact portion with the front door of the housing body.

  A variable display device 2 is provided on the upper front side of the slot machine 1. The variable display device 2 is housed in a housing and is provided with a reel unit 3 including three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. The display window is displayed in the middle and lower three stages. The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotated / stopped by driving the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR (see FIG. 2), respectively.

  On the outer periphery of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, there are a plurality of types such as “red 7”, “blue 7”, “BAR”, “JAC”, “watermelon”, “cherry”, and “bell” that can be distinguished from each other. 21 symbols are drawn in a predetermined order. In the reel unit 3, reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR (see FIG. 2) for detecting the reference position of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, and a reel lamp 3LP for irradiating light from the back surface are provided. And are provided.

  Various display units are provided around the variable display device 2. Below the variable display device 2, a game number display unit 21, a credit display unit 22, and a payout display unit 23 are provided. The game number display unit 21 includes a game number display 51 (see FIG. 2) using a 7-segment display, and displays a big bonus, a regular bonus, the number of games at RT, the number of winnings, or the total number of payout medals, which will be described later. .

  The credit display unit 22 includes a credit display 52 (see FIG. 2) using a 7-segment display, and displays the number of credits accumulated as data according to the number of inserted medals and the number of paid-out coins as will be described later. The payout display unit 23 is composed of a 7-segment display payout display 53 (see FIG. 2), and displays the number of medals to be paid out when winning is achieved.

  On the left side of the variable display device 2, a one-bet display unit 24, two-bet display units 25 and 26, and three-bet display units 27 and 28 are provided. One piece, two pieces, and three pieces bet display sections 24 to 28 correspond to lines activated according to the number of bets (1, 2, or 3) (hereinafter referred to as valid lines), respectively. When the three betting lamps 54 to 58 (see FIG. 2) are turned on, the active line in each game is shown to the player. The 1-sheet, 2-sheet, 3-sheet betting display sections 24 to 28 are also configured so that the 1-sheet, 2-sheet, 3-sheet betting lamps 54-58 are in a blinking state when a winning combination to be described later is made, The active line that won the combination to be described later is shown to the player.

  On the right side of the variable display device 2, an insertion instruction display unit 29, a start display unit 30, a weight display unit 31, a replay display unit 32, and a game over display unit 33 are provided. The insertion instruction display unit 29 indicates that a medal can be inserted by turning on the insertion instruction lamp 59 (see FIG. 2). The start display unit 30 indicates that the start lamp 60 (see FIG. 2) is turned on, so that the start can be started, that is, the operation of the start lever 11 can be accepted. The weight display unit 31 indicates that a weight to be described later is applied when the weight lamp 61 (see FIG. 2) is turned on. The replay display unit 32 indicates that a replay winning to be described later has been made when the replay lamp 62 (see FIG. 2) is in a lighting state. The game over display unit 33 indicates that the slot machine 1 has been stopped by turning on the game over lamp 63 (see FIG. 2).

  A liquid crystal display 4 is provided above the variable display device 2. The liquid crystal display 4 displays various effect images according to the gaming state. Further, the liquid crystal display 4 can display various information directly or indirectly related to the game, and is also used for notifying that a setting value changing operation described later is being performed. It is done.

  A medal slot 13, a single BET button 14, a MAXBET button 15, and a checkout button 16 are provided on a horizontal surface of a trapezoidal portion provided below the variable display device 2. The BET button lamps 70a and 70b (see FIG. 2) that are turned on when the number of bets can be set from the credits (maximum 50) accumulated as data are arranged inside the single BET button 14 and the MAX BET button 15. Has been.

  The medal insertion slot 13 is for a player to insert a medal from here. If the insertion medal sensor 44 (see FIG. 2) detects the insertion of a medal when the insertion instruction unit 29 is lit, a bet is placed. A number is set or credits are stored as data. The single BET button 14 and the MAX BET button 15 are buttons operated by the player when setting the number of bets (1, 3 respectively) from the credits accumulated as data. When detected by the sheet BET switch 45 (see FIG. 2) or the MAXBET switch 46 (see FIG. 2), the number of bets from the credit is set. The settlement button 16 is a button for instructing to pay out credits. When an operation is detected by the settlement switch 47 (see FIG. 2), medals corresponding to credits accumulated as data are paid out.

  A start lever 11 and stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are provided on the vertical surface of the trapezoidal portion. The start lever 11 is operated by the player when starting the game. When the operation is detected by the start switch 41 (see FIG. 2), the reel drive motors 3ML, 3MC, 3MR are started to be driven. 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate.

  The stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are buttons that the player operates to stop the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R at a desired timing, respectively, and the operations are stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R (see FIG. 2). Is detected, the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped. The fact that the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is possible is indicated to the player by turning on the operation effective lamps 63L, 63C, and 63R (see FIG. 2) provided therein.

  Further, a panel covering the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is applied as the bonus notification unit 36. The bonus notification unit 36 notifies the player that the bonus winning described later is possible by turning on the bonus notification lamp 66 (see FIG. 2). Further, on the right side of the stop button 12R, there is provided a medal clogging elimination button 18 that mechanically vibrates the slot machine 1 when a medal is jammed.

  On the lower front side of the slot machine 1, a medal payout port 71 and a medal storage tray 72 are provided. The medal payout port 71 discharges medals paid out by the hopper 80 (see FIG. 2) to the outside. The medal storage tray 72 is for storing paid-out medals. The front panel on the medal storage tray 72 is irradiated with light emitted from the fluorescent lamp 6 (see FIG. 2) installed therein.

  Speakers 7U, 7L, and 7R are provided as rendering means on the lower front side of the slot machine 1 and on the left and right sides of the upper front side, respectively. The speakers 7U, 7L, and 7R output sound effects at the time of winning and bonus entry, output of alarm sound at the time of abnormality, and output of sound for various effects according to the gaming state.

  Further, on the front side of the slot machine 1, an effect by light is performed by light emission of game effect lamps 75 </ b> A to 75 </ b> M (see FIG. 2) as effect means so as to surround the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4. Game effect display sections 5A to 5M are provided. The game effect display units 5A to 5M perform effects by light in various patterns according to the progress of the game. Note that the light emission colors of the game effect display units 5A to 5M may be either single colors or multiple colors.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the control circuit of the slot machine 1. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the slot machine 1 is roughly divided into a power supply board 100, a game control board 101, an effect control board 102, a reel relay board 103, a reel lamp relay board 104, and an external output board 105. .

  The power supply board 100 transforms an external power supply voltage of AC 100V and supplies operating power to the game control board 101 and other parts of the slot machine 1. In FIG. 2, only the game control board 101, the hopper 80, and the switches 91 to 94 are connected, but the power supply board 100 also supplies power to other units. The power supply board 100 is provided in the slot machine 1 and is connected to a hopper 80 that includes a hopper motor 82 that performs a medal payout operation and a payout sensor 81 that detects a medal payout operation.

  The power supply board 100 sets a winning probability for an internal lottery to be described later, and a setting switch 91 and a setting switch 91 for changing setting values (setting 1 to setting 6) of medal payout rates calculated based on the probability. A door for detecting that the front door is in an open state by a setting key switch 92 for enabling the operation, a second reset switch 93 for resetting the internal state (RAM 112), and a main switch 94 for switching the power ON / OFF. The open sensor 95 is also connected to each other, and detection signals from these switches and sensors are sent to the game control board 101. The switches 91 to 94 are provided inside the slot machine 1.

  The game control board 101 is a control board on the main side that controls the overall flow of the game in the slot machine 1, and includes a control unit 110 including a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, and an I / O port 114. It is installed. A random number generation circuit 115, a sampling circuit 116, and other circuits are mounted.

  The CPU 111 has an interrupt function (including an interrupt prohibition function) such as a timekeeping function and a timer interrupt, and executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 113 to perform processing related to the progress of the game, and in the slot machine 1 Control each part of the control circuit directly or indirectly. The CPU 111 performs processing with 8 bits (1 byte) as 1. The RAM 112 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. The ROM 113 stores programs executed by the CPU 111 and fixed data. The allocation of the addresses of the RAM 112 and the ROM 113 is different between the development model in the manufacturer and the mass production model delivered to the hall. The I / O port 114 inputs and outputs control signals to and from each circuit connected to the game control board 101.

  The RAM 112 uses a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) and requires a refresh operation to maintain the stored data contents. The CPU 111 is provided with a refresh register for performing this refresh operation. The refresh register is composed of 8 bits, and the lower 7 bits are automatically incremented each time the CPU 111 fetches an instruction from the ROM 113, and the value is updated every execution time of one instruction. The configuration of the RAM 112 will be described later.

  The random number generation circuit 115 is configured by a counter that counts up and updates the value every time a predetermined number of pulses are generated, as will be described later, and the sampling circuit 116 acquires the numerical value counted by the random number generation circuit 115. . The random number generation circuit 115 is provided for each type of random number used for the progress of the game, and a range of numerical values to be counted for each type of random number is determined. The CPU 111 sends an instruction to the sampling circuit 116 according to the processing to acquire the numerical value indicated by the random number generation circuit 115 as a random number (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a hardware random number function). Random numbers for internal lottery, which will be described later, are not used as they are extracted by the hardware random number function, but are processed and used by software. Details thereof will be described in detail.

  The CPU 111 also has a function of updating the numerical value of the specific address in the RAM 112 by timer interrupt processing and acquiring the updated numerical value as a random number (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a software random number function). The CPU 111 transmits various commands to the effect control board 102 via the I / O port 114. Each of these commands consists of 8 bits. Note that information (commands) is sent from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 only in one direction, and no information (commands) is sent from the effect control board 102 to the game control board 101.

  Connected to the game control board 101 are a single BET switch 45, a MAXBET switch 46, a start switch 41, stop switches 42L, 42C, 42R, a settlement switch 47, a first reset switch 48, and a throw-in medal sensor 44. Detection signals from the switches / sensors are input. In addition, detection signals of the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, and 3SR are input via the reel relay substrate 103. In accordance with the detection signals of these switches / sensors input via the I / O port 114 or the detection signals of various switches input via the power supply board 100 as described above, the CPU 111 on the game control board 101 Processing is in progress.

  The game control board 101 also includes a flow path switching solenoid 49, a game number display 51, a credit display 52, a payout display 53, a loading instruction lamp 59, a single betting lamp 54, two betting lamps 55, 56, Three betting lamps 57 and 58, a game over lamp 63, a start lamp 60, a replay lamp 62, BET button lamps 70a and 70b, and operation valid lamps 63L, 63C, and 63R are connected, and the CPU 111 follows the progress of the game. These operations are controlled.

  The game control board 101 is connected to reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR via a reel relay board 103. The CPU 111 refers to the reel control table corresponding to the gaming state in the ROM 113, controls the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3ML via the reel relay board 103, and stops the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R.

  The effect control board 102 is a sub-side control board that controls the execution of effects in the slot machine 1, and is equipped with a control unit 120 including a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU 121, a RAM 122, a ROM 123, and an I / O port 124. Yes. In addition, the random number generation circuit 125 and the sampling circuit 126 are mounted, and the CPU 121 obtains the value counted by the random number generation circuit 125 by the sampling circuit 126, so that the hardware random number function similar to that of the game control board 101 is obtained. Is forming. It also has a software random number function by interrupt processing.

  The CPU 121 executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 123 to perform processing related to the execution of the effect, and controls each circuit in the effect control board 102 and each circuit connected thereto. The performance is performed based on a command received from the game control board 101 via the I / O port 124. The RAM 122 is used as a work area when the CPU 121 executes a program. The ROM 123 stores programs executed by the CPU 121 and fixed data. The I / O port 124 inputs and outputs control signals to and from each circuit connected to the effect control board 102.

  The effect control board 102 is connected with game effect lamps 75A to 75M, a liquid crystal display 4, speakers 7L, 7R, and 7U, a fluorescent lamp 6, a weight lamp 61, and a bonus notification lamp 66. A reel lamp 3LP is connected via a reel lamp relay substrate 104. The control unit of the effect control board 102 performs these effects by controlling these parts.

  The reel relay board 103 relays between the game control board 101, the external output board 105 and the reel unit 3. The reel relay substrate 103 is also connected with a full sensor 90, and its detection signal is input. The full tank sensor 90 is provided inside the slot machine 1 and detects that the medals in the overflow tank storing the medals overflowed from the hopper 80 are full.

  The reel lamp relay board 104 relays between the effect control board 102 and the reel unit 3. The external output board 105 is connected to an external device such as a hall management computer, and receives a big bonus medium signal, a regular bonus medium signal, an RT signal, a reel input from the game control board 101 via the reel relay board 103. The control signal, stop switch signal, medal IN signal, and medal OUT signal are output to the external device.

  In the slot machine 1, the medal payout rate changes according to the set value, and the winning probability of the internal lottery described later is determined according to the set value. Hereinafter, a setting value changing operation using the setting switch 91 will be described.

  In order to change the setting value, it is necessary to turn on the power of the slot machine 1 by the main switch 92 after the setting key switch 92 is turned on. When the power is turned on without setting key switch 92 turned on, if the data in RAM 112 is normal, it returns to the state before the power is turned off. However, if the data in RAM 112 is broken and cannot be restored to the state before the power is turned off. The area below the special work in the RAM 112 is cleared and the set value is set to 1. At this time, an initialization command is sent from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102.

  When the setting key switch 92 is turned on and the power is turned on, the setting value can be changed. However, before the setting value can be changed, a setting change command is sent from the game control board 101 to the effect control board. 102. By receiving the setting change command, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 notifies that the setting value changing operation is being performed, for example, by displaying it on the liquid crystal display 4.

  When the setting switch 91 is operated during a period during which the setting value can be changed, the setting value is updated by 1 (when the operation is further performed from the setting 6, the setting is returned to the setting 1). Then, when the setting key switch 92 is turned off after the start lever 11 is operated, the change of the setting value is confirmed. At this time, the area below the important work in the RAM 112 is cleared. If the bonus winning flag is set, it is deleted. If the bonus winning flag is set, it is deleted.

  In addition, a state command is sent from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 upon confirmation of the set value. This state command is also used as a status command sent to the effect control board 102 at the end of each game. . If the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 notifies that the setting value is being changed when the state command is received, the notification ends.

  In the slot machine 1, a winning is awarded when the symbols are arranged on the active line set according to the betting number of the variable display device 2. In order for a winning to occur, the internal winning flag of the combination needs to be set, and details thereof will be described later. At the time of winning a prize, medals are paid out, and the gaming state is changed with the winning. Hereinafter, the “combination” determined as the winning will be described.

  In a normal gaming state, when, for example, three “BARs” are arranged on an active line corresponding to the number of bets, a regular bonus is awarded, and the gaming state shifts to a regular bonus. The regular bonus is a game called a regular bonus game (JAC game) that is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 12 times) or a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times) ("JAC" is displayed on the active line). Complete: JAC prize). While the game state is in the regular bonus, the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 (including the case where it is provided during the big bonus described below).

  For example, when three “red 7” are arranged on the active line corresponding to the bet number, a big bonus is won and the gaming state shifts to the big bonus. In the big bonus, a game called a small role game can be played. In this small role game, “JAC” is aligned on the active line with a relatively high probability (JACIN winning), and when the JACIN winning is achieved, the above-described regular bonus (JAC game) is provided. The big bonus ends when the number of medals paid out to the player during the period reaches a specified number. While the gaming state is the big bonus, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112.

  If, for example, three “Blue 7” s are arranged on the active line corresponding to the bet number, an RT win is made and the gaming state shifts to RT (Replay Time). In RT, the winning probability of replay in the internal lottery is higher than in the normal gaming state, but the winning probabilities of other roles are the same as in the normal gaming state. RT is ended by digesting a predetermined number of games. While the gaming state is at RT, an RT flag is set in the RAM 112. In the following description, the term “bonus” includes a big bonus, a regular bonus, and RT unless otherwise specified.

  Further, in a game other than the regular bonus game, when “watermelon” or “bell” is aligned on the active line, or “cherry” appears on the left reel 3L, a small role winning is obtained. Except for the small role game and regular bonus game (including during the big bonus) provided during the big bonus period, if “JAC” is available on the active line, a replay prize will be awarded. It should be noted that in the following description, a small combination includes all combinations other than replay, JAC, and JACIN bonuses unless otherwise specified. When other display modes are derived and displayed on the variable display device 2, no winning combination has been won, that is, the game is lost.

  When there is a winning combination as described above, the number of medals corresponding to each winning combination is paid out (except for the case where the winning combination is 50 until the number of credits reaches 50). A corresponding number of credits are accumulated as data, and in this case as well, medals are paid out as valuable value). In addition, the number of medals to be paid out is 15 in all cases, except that there are 8 bell small roles and 2 cherry small roles.

  Hereinafter, the internal lottery will be described. The internal lottery is to determine whether or not winnings to each combination described later is permitted before the display result of the variable display device 2 is derived and displayed (actually, when the start lever 11 is operated). The internal lottery random number (an integer from 0 to 16383) acquired for each game is used to determine the set value set by the setting switch 91, the number of bets set by the player, and each combination corresponding to the current gaming state. This is what the CPU 111 performs by adding the number of values. Winning in the internal lottery is exclusive, and a plurality of winnings are not won simultaneously in one game.

  First, acquisition of random numbers for internal lottery will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The random numbers for the internal lottery are acquired by extracting random numbers from the random number generation circuit 115 by the hardware random number function and processing them by software by the CPU 111. When acquiring a random number for internal lottery, a random number for determining notification for determining whether or not to turn on the bonus notification lamp 66 is also acquired. The least significant bit of the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 or processed from the random number generation circuit 115 is referred to as the 0th bit, and the most significant bit is referred to as the 15th bit.

  FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the random number generation circuit 115 in detail. As shown in the figure, the random number generation circuit 115 includes a pulse generation circuit 115a, a lower counter 115b, and an upper counter 115c. The lower counter 115b and the upper counter 115c are both 8-bit (1 byte) counters, the lower counter 115b is the 0th bit to the 7th bit, and the upper counter 115c is a total of 16 bits from the 8th bit to the 15th bit. The data signal is output.

  The pulse generation circuit 115a outputs a pulse signal at a frequency that is higher than the frequency of the operation clock of the CPU 111 and is not an integral multiple thereof (preferably relatively prime). The pulse signal output from the pulse generation circuit 115a is clocked into the lower counter 115b.

  The lower counter 115b alternately inverts the 0th bit data signal between the H level and the L level every time a pulse signal is input from the pulse generation circuit 115a. Assuming that positive logic is applied, a logical value of H level corresponds to 1 and a logical value of L level corresponds to 0. In the case of negative logic, a logic value of 1 may be read as L level, and a logic value of 0 may be read as H level. When the level of the 0th bit data signal is inverted from H level to L level, that is, every time the logic value of the 0th bit data signal changes from 1 to 0, the level of the 1st bit data signal is changed to H level. Inverted alternately with L level.

  Similarly, when the level of the (m−1) th bit data signal is inverted from the H level to the L level, that is, whenever the logic value of the (m−1) th bit data signal changes from 1 to 0, the mth bit data The signal level is alternately inverted between the H level and the L level. A carry signal is output every time the level of the seventh bit data signal changes from H level, that is, the logical value of the seventh bit data signal changes from 1 to 0. The carry signal output from the lower counter 115b is clocked into the upper counter 115c.

  The upper counter 115c alternately inverts the eighth bit data signal between the H level and the L level every time a carry signal is input from the lower counter 115b. Each time the level of the 9th bit data signal is inverted from H level to L level, the level of the 9th bit data signal is alternately inverted between H level and L level. Similarly, every time the level of the m−1th bit data signal is inverted from the H level to the L level, the level of the mth bit data signal is alternately inverted between the H level and the L level.

  The logic value of the 16-bit data signal in which the data signal of the lower counter 115b is the lower 8 bits and the data signal of the upper counter 115c is the upper 8 bits is 0 (0000h) every time the pulse generation circuit 115a outputs the pulse signal. ) → 1 (0001h) → 2 (0002h) →... → 65535 (FFFFh) The values are updated so as to be continuous every update, and the maximum value 65535 (FFFFh) is next to the initial value 0 (0000h). The value circulates and is output from the random number generation circuit 115.

  The sampling circuit 116 is configured by a latch circuit, and latches the 16-bit data signal output at that time from the random number generation circuit 115 based on a sampling command from the CPU 111 and outputs the latched data signal. The CPU 111 extracts numerical data corresponding to the data signal input from the sampling circuit 116 via the I / O port 114 as a random number generated by the random number generation circuit 115. Hereinafter, the data signal output from the random number generation circuit 115 will be described as a random number corresponding to the logical value.

  FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram until the CPU 111 processes the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 into a random number for internal lottery by software. The random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is stored in a 16-bit general-purpose register 111GR included in the CPU 111.

  When the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is stored in the general-purpose register 111GR, the CPU 111 uses the other general-purpose register or the work area of the RAM 112 to lower byte of the general-purpose register 111GR (value extracted from the lower-order counter 115b). And the value of the upper byte (the value extracted from the upper counter 115c) are exchanged.

  Next, the CPU 111 performs an AND operation on the value of the random number obtained by exchanging the upper byte and the lower byte for the extracted random number with 8080h. Since the processing word of the CPU 111 is 1 byte, the logical product operation is actually performed sequentially on the upper byte and the lower byte. The 15th bit and the 7th bit are always 1 by this logical product operation. Further, the CPU 111 shifts the upper 1 byte (8th bit to 15th bit) to the lower bit by bit, and inserts 1 into the empty 15th bit.

  The CPU 111 acquires the value stored in the general-purpose register 111GR at this time as a random number for internal lottery, stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM 112, and sequentially adds the number of determination values of each combination to this. It becomes. Since the 15th and 14th bits of the random number for internal lottery are always 1, the random number for internal lottery is a random number having a size of 14 bits (16384), which is substantially 0 to 16383. It takes a value.

  Note that interrupts to the CPU 111 are prohibited from the extraction of random numbers from the random number generation circuit 115 to the end of processing. This is to prevent the contents of the general-purpose register 111GR from being rewritten in the interrupt processing routine when an interrupt occurs to the CPU 111.

  Next, the number of determination values used in the internal lottery will be described. In the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, a determination indicating the type of combination and the number of determination values to be won for each combination according to the set value, the number of bets, and the game state (collectively referred to as a game situation). A table according to gaming state in which the storage location of the number of values is registered is prepared in advance.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the gaming state-specific table. The gaming state table shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the ROM 113 in advance. The table according to gaming state is a table in which a combination determined according to the gaming state and an address in which the number of determination values corresponding to each combination is stored. The number of determination values may be 256 or more, and cannot be stored for one word. Therefore, each determination value is registered using a storage area for two words.

  The number of determination values may be common regardless of the set value and the number of bets, and may be different depending on the set value and / or the number of bets. When the number of judgment values is common regardless of the set value, a common flag for the set value is set (value is set to “1”), and the number of judgment values is common regardless of the number of bets Is set with a common flag for the betting number (BET number) (value is set to “1”). If the number of determination values is the same regardless of both the set value and the number of bets, both flags are set.

  FIG. 4A shows a game state-specific table that is referred to when the game state is a regular bonus (including a big bonus). In the regular bonus, only JAC is registered as an internal lottery target. In the regular bonus, since only one bet is possible, the number of determination values is common regardless of the number of bets, and in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, regardless of the set value. It is common.

  FIG. 4B shows a game state-specific table that is referred to when the small bonus game in the big bonus is in the game state. In the big bonus, four types, JACIN, “Watermelon”, “Bell”, and “Cherry”, are registered as internal lotteries. The number of judgment values for any combination is the same regardless of the setting value. However, the number of judgment values for the “Watermelon” small part and the “Bell” small part does not change due to the difference in the setting value. However, the number of determination values differs depending on the number of bets.

  FIG. 4C shows a game state-specific table that is referred to when the game state is RT. In RT, six types of bonuses, a regular bonus, a “watermelon” small role, a “bell” small role, a “cherry” small role, and a replay are registered as internal lottery targets. For the big bonus and the regular bonus, the number of determination values differs depending on the set value and the number of bets. However, when the bet number is 1 or 2, the bet number is common regardless of the set value.

  For the “Watermelon” and “Bell” small roles, the number of determination values does not change due to a difference in setting values, but the number of determination values differs depending on the number of bets. For the small part of “Cherry”, the number of determination values does not change according to the number of bets, but the number of bets differs according to the set value. The number of replay judgment values is common regardless of the set value and the number of bets.

  FIG. 4D shows a table by gaming state that is referred to when the player is in the normal gaming state. In the normal gaming state, there are seven types of internal lottery targets: Big Bonus, Regular Bonus, “Watermelon” Minor, “Bell” Minor, “Cherry” Minor, Replay, and RT. It is registered. For the big bonus and the regular bonus, the number of determination values differs depending on the set value and the number of bets. However, when the bet number is 1 or 2, the bet number is common regardless of the set value.

  For the “Watermelon” and “Bell” small roles, the number of determination values does not change due to a difference in setting values, but the number of determination values differs depending on the number of bets. For the small part of “Cherry”, the number of determination values does not change according to the number of bets, but the number of bets differs according to the set value. The number of replay judgment values is common regardless of the set value and the number of bets. The number of RT determination values is also common regardless of the set value and the number of bets.

  When the gaming state is in RT, the winning probabilities of other combinations in the internal lottery are the same as in the normal gaming state, except that RT is not won repeatedly and the replay winning probability is high. For this reason, if the set value and the number of bets are the same except for replay, the address of the judgment value registered in the gaming state table referred to when the player is in RT is in the normal gaming state. It is the same as the address of the number of judgment values registered in the referenced game state table.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a storage area for the number of determination values acquired based on the addresses registered in the gaming state table. The storage area for the number of determination values is provided in the RAM 112 for the development model and in the address area allocated to the ROM 113 for the mass production model. For example, the address ADD is an address that is referred to for the role of JAC in the regular bonus game state table, but since the number of determination values stored here is 16375, the winning of JAC is determined when the player is in the regular bonus. For this, 16375 is acquired as the number of determination values.

  Further, for example, the address ADD + 32 is an address that is referred to for the big bonus when the bet number is 3 and the set value is 6 in the normal gaming state or RT, but the determination value number stored here is 60. Therefore, when the betting number is 3 and the set value is 6 in the normal gaming state or RT, 60 is acquired as the determination value number for determining the winning of the big bonus. The addresses ADD + 74 and ADD + 76 are addresses that store the number of determination values for determining the replay win in RT and the normal gaming state, respectively, but the number of determination values stored in each is different from 5120 and 2245. Therefore, the replay winning probability in the normal gaming state is different from the replay winning probability in RT.

  In addition, when the number of bets is 1, the number of judgment values for the small part of “watermelon” in the normal gaming state or RT is the address ADD + 50 when the bet number is 1, the address ADD + 52 when the bet number is 2, If so, it is stored in the address ADD + 54. However, since the number of judgment values stored in the addresses ADD + 50, ADD + 52, and ADD + 54 are all 68, the winning probability of the small part of “watermelon” in the normal gaming state or RT is the same regardless of the number of bets. It will be a thing.

  Furthermore, when the set value is 1, the number of judgment values for the “Cherry” small role in the normal gaming state or RT is set to the address ADD + 62 if the set value is 2, and the set value is set to the address ADD + 64 if the set value is 2. Is stored in the address ADD + 66 if the set value is 4, the address ADD + 68 if the set value is 5, and the address ADD + 72 if the set value is 6. However, since the number of judgment values stored in the addresses ADD + 62, ADD + 64, ADD + 66, ADD + 68, ADD + 70, and ADD + 72 are all 269, the winning probability of the small part of “Cherry” in the normal gaming state or RT is set. It will be the same regardless of the value.

  In the internal lottery, the set value, the number of bets and the determination value number of each combination according to the game state are added to the acquired random number for internal lottery, and when the overflow occurs, the combination is determined to be a win. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the value of the random number for internal lottery and the number of determination values of each combination and the winning combination. FIG. 6 shows a case where the betting number is 3 and the set value is 6 in the normal gaming state. The types of roles here are big bonus, regular bonus, “Watermelon” small role, “Bell” small role, “Cherry” small role, replay, and RT, each with 60 judgment values, 30, 68, 3562, 269, 2245 and 16.

  With regard to the big bonus, the address for which the number of judgment values is individually stored is registered in the gaming state table. Here, the number of determination values stored in the address ADD + 32 corresponding to the betting number 3 and the set value 6 is 30. Assuming that the judgment value number of 30 is added, when the random number for internal lottery is 16324 to 16383, the addition result overflows and the big bonus is won.

  For the regular bonus, the address where the number of judgment values is individually stored is registered in the gaming state table. Here, the number of determination values stored in the address ADD + 48 corresponding to the betting number 3 and the set value 6 is 60. Assuming that 90 is added together with 30 of this judgment value number and 60 of the big bonus judgment value number, when the random number value for internal lottery is 16294-16323, the addition result overflows and becomes regular. Win a bonus.

  For the small part of “watermelon”, an address in which the number of determination values is commonly stored for the set value is registered in the table by gaming state. Here, the number of judgment values stored in the address ADD + 54 registered corresponding to the betting number 3 is 68. Assuming that 158 is added by combining the number of judgment values 68 and the number of judgment values added so far, the addition result overflows when the random number for internal lottery is 16226-16293. , Won the small role of "watermelon".

  For the small part of “Bell”, an address storing the number of determination values in common for the set value is registered in the table according to gaming state. Here, the number of determination values stored in the address ADD + 60 registered corresponding to the betting number 3 is 3562. Assuming that 3720 is added together with the number of determination values 3562 and the number of determination values added so far, the addition result overflows when the random number for internal lottery is 12664 to 16225. , Won the small role of "Bell".

  For the small part of “Cherry”, an address storing the number of determination values in common for the number of bets is registered in the table according to gaming state. Here, the number of determination values stored in the address ADD + 72 registered corresponding to the setting value 6 is 269. Assuming that 3889 is added together with the number of determination values 269 and the number of determination values added so far, the addition result overflows when the random number for internal lottery is 12395-12663. , Won the small role of "Cherry".

  For replay, an address that stores the number of determination values in common for both the set value and the number of bets is registered in the table according to gaming state. The number of judgment values stored in the address ADD + 76 registered for replay is 2245. Assuming that 6234 is added together with the number of judgment values 2245 and the number of judgment values added so far, the addition result overflows when the random number for internal lottery is 10150-12394. , Won the replay.

  As for RT, an address that stores the number of determination values in common for both the set value and the number of bets is registered in the gaming state table. The number of determination values stored in the address ADD + 78 registered for RT is 16. Assuming that 6250 is added together with the number of judgment values 16 and the number of judgment values added so far, the addition result overflows when the random number for internal lottery is 10134 to 10149. Wins RT.

  The approximate winning probabilities calculated for these roles based on the number of judgment values are: Big Bonus, Regular Bonus, “Watermelon” Minor, “Bell” Minor, “Cherry” Minor, Replay, and For each of RT, 1 / 273.1, 1 / 546.1, 1 / 240.9, 1 / 4.6, 1 / 60.9, 1 / 7.3, 1 / 10244.0 (decimal number 2 It is rounded off below. In addition, when the value of the random number for internal lottery is 0-10133, the addition result does not overflow, and all the combinations are lost.

  In addition, when the big bonus winning flag, regular bonus winning flag or RT winning flag is already set, the big bonus, regular bonus or RT (which may be different from the set winning flag type) is won. Even if the determination is made, the big bonus winning flag, the regular bonus winning flag or the RT winning flag is not set again, and the winning is discarded.

  For the winning combination determined in the internal lottery, the winning flag for the winning combination is set in the RAM 112. In addition, a big bonus, a regular bonus (including a case where the bonus is provided during the big bonus), a big bonus medium flag indicating that the player is in the RT gaming state, a regular bonus medium flag, and an RT flag are also set in the RAM 112. Further, the set value and the number of bets are also stored in the RAM 112. Therefore, the configuration of the RAM 112 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a memory map of the RAM 112 of the game control board 101. As illustrated, the storage area of the RAM 112 includes a stack area 112-1, a special work 112-2, a set value work 112-3, an important work 112-4, a general work I 112-5, and a general work II 112. -6, general work III 112-7, and unused area 112-8. The start address of each area is add, add + A, add + B, add + C, add + D, add + E, add + F, and add + G. The final address of the RAM 112 is add + H.

  The stack area 112-1 is an area for a stack, and a stack pointer is also included here. The special work 112-2 is a work area for generating commands and software random numbers to be transmitted to the effect control board 102. The set value work 112-3 is a work area that holds the set value. The set value that is determined at the end of the setting value change operation is data indicating the set value 1 when the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on. Can be put. The important work 112-4 is a work area for storing data that may cause inconvenience if cleared at the end of the big bonus.

  The general works 112-5 to 7 are work areas for storing data that may be cleared at the end of the big bonus. The general works 112-5 to 7 are divided into a general work I 112-5, a general work II 112-6, and a general work III 112-7 according to the condition that they may be cleared other than at the end of the big bonus. The unused area 112-8 is an unused area in the RAM 112.

  The general work I 112-5 includes an area for setting a big bonus medium flag and an area for a counter for counting the number of payout medals in the big bonus. The general work II 112-6 includes an area for setting a regular bonus medium flag and an RT flag, an area for setting a big bonus winning flag, a regular bonus winning flag, an RT winning flag, a regular bonus, and an RT digest. An area for a counter for counting the number of games and an area for a counter for counting the number of winning games in the regular bonus are included. The general work III 112-7 includes an area for setting a winning flag of small role, replay, JAC, and JACIN.

  The entire special work 112-2 is cleared only when the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on. The important work 112-4 is cleared entirely only when the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on and when the setting value changing operation is completed. The general work I112-5 is cleared when the big bonus is completed, in addition to the case where the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on and the case where the setting value changing operation is completed.

  The general work II 112-6 is also cleared when the big bonus is finished, in addition to the case where the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on and the case where the setting value changing operation is finished. In response, the necessary part is cleared (that is, the flag is deleted and the counter is initialized). The general work III 112-7 is cleared at the end of each game regardless of whether the big bonus has ended, in addition to the case where the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on and the operation of changing the set value is completed. The The conditions for clearing the unused area 112-8 are the same as those for the general work III 112-7.

  From the above conditions, if the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on, the entire area under the special work 112-2 is cleared. When the setting value changing operation is completed, the entire area below the important work 112-4 is cleared. When the big bonus ends, the entire area below the general work I11-5 is cleared. When the game ends without completing the big bonus, the entire area below the general work III 112-7 is cleared.

  When the condition for clearing the area of the RAM 112 is established, an address corresponding to the established condition is set in a predetermined address register of the CPU 111. Here, the address according to the condition is “add + A” when the RAM 112 is broken at the time of power-on, “add + C” when the setting value changing operation is finished, “add + D” when the big bonus is finished, and “big bonus”. If the game ends without ending, it is add + F. Then, the CPU 111 clears the data at the address indicated by the address register while incrementing the set address by one from the set address until the final address add + H of the RAM 112 is reached. .

  The CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 performs various effects based on commands sent from the CPU 111 of the game control board 101. When the above initialization command or setting change command is received, the effect that has been executed up to that point is stopped, and then the RAM 122 is cleared. Further, when the setting change command is received, the fact that the setting value changing operation is being performed is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 to notify the player. This notification is terminated by receiving the status command.

  The operation in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. The operation of the slot machine 1 is started when the power is turned on by turning on the main switch 94, and special processing is performed when the power is turned on.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 when the power is turned on. When the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on, it is first determined whether or not the setting key switch 92 is turned on by a key operation (step S101). If the setting key switch 92 is in the OFF state, it is determined whether the data in the RAM 112 is not broken and is in a normal state (step S102). If the RAM 112 is in a normal state, the state returns to the state before the power is shut off, and the game process is started.

  If the data in the RAM 112 is corrupted, add + A is set in the address register as the start address of the area to be cleared in the RAM 112 (step S103). Then, a RAM clear process, which will be described in detail later, is performed to clear the area after add + A of the RAM 112, that is, the area under the special work 112-2 (step S104). Further, 1 is stored in the cleared set value work as an initial value of the set value (step S105). Further, an initialization command is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102 (step S106). Then, a game process to be described later is started.

  If the setting key switch 92 is in the ON state, it is determined based on the detection signal from the door opening sensor 95 whether or not the front door is open (step S107). If the front door is open, there is a possibility that an illegal setting value change operation is about to be performed. Here, an error code indicating that a setting value changing operation has been performed with the front door open is displayed on the game number display unit 21 to notify the user. An error command may be transmitted to cause the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 to output an error sound from the speakers 7L, 7R, and 7U, or to display an error code on the liquid crystal display 4.

  If the front door is not opened, a setting change command indicating that a setting value changing operation is being performed is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102 (step S108). Further, the set value stored in the set value work is read out to a predetermined area and the game number display unit 51 is controlled to display the set value on the game number display unit 21 (step S109).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the start lever 11 is operated (step S110). If the start lever 11 is not operated, the process directly proceeds to step S112. If the start lever 11 has been operated, it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 92 has been turned off (step S111). If the setting key switch 92 is not turned off, the process proceeds to step S112.

  In step S112, it is determined whether the setting switch 91 has been operated. If the setting switch 91 has not been operated, the process returns to step S109. If the setting switch 91 has been operated, the set value is incremented by 1 (step S113), and it is determined whether or not the addition result is 7 (step S114). If the added result is not 7, the process returns to step S109 as it is. If the result of addition is 7, the set value is returned to the initial value 1 (step S115), and the process returns to step S109. When the setting value is updated in this way and the process returns to step S109, the updated setting value is displayed on the game number display unit 21.

  If the start lever 11 is operated in step S107 and the setting key switch 92 is turned off in step S108, add + C is set in the address register as the start address of the area to be cleared in the RAM 112 (step S116). Then, a RAM clear process, which will be described in detail later, is performed to clear the area after add + C of the RAM 112, that is, the area below the important work 112-4 (step S117). Further, the current set value is confirmed, stored in the set value work 112-3, and the game number display unit 51 is controlled to display the set value displayed on the game number display unit 21 in step S109. Erasing is performed (step S118).

  Furthermore, a state command transmission process is executed, and a state command is generated based on the current set value, the big bonus medium flag, the regular bonus medium flag and the RT flag flag stored in the RAM 112, and this is generated as an effect control board. It transmits to 102 (step S119). The state command transmitted here indicates that there is no set value stored in the set value work 112-3 in step S118 and any state of big bonus, regular bonus, or RT. This state command transmission process is the same as that executed at the end of the process of one game described below. Then, the game processing described next is started.

  When the process at the time of power-on is completed and the state before the power-off is restored or the game is started, the process for each game is repeated. In the following description, the term “game” means, in a narrow sense, from the operation of the start lever 11 until the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. However, when a game is played, the number of bets before the operation of the start lever 11 is set, and medals are paid out and the game state is shifted after the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. Is also included in the “game” in a broad sense.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing for one game executed by the CPU 111 of the game control board 101. This process is also executed after the power is turned on and a predetermined boot process is performed, or immediately after the setting is changed by operating the setting switch 91. When the processing of one game is started, first, initial processing including processing for clearing the unused area 112-8 of the RAM 112 (by setting add + G in the address register and performing the RAM clear processing) is performed (step S201). ).

  Next, the number of bets is set by operating one BET button 14 or MAXBET button 15 or by inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 13, and operating the start lever 11 to substantially change the game. BET processing for instructing start is performed (step S202). However, if the player has won a replay in the previous game, the same number of bets as the previous game are automatically set by the replay flag (the replay flag is erased at this stage), so the start lever 11 is operated as it is. You can tell the start of the game.

  When the bet number is set by the BET process and the start lever 11 is operated, a random number for internal lottery is extracted, and it is determined whether or not the winning of each above-described combination is permitted based on the extracted random number value. A lottery process is performed (step S203). In this lottery process, a winning flag is set in the RAM 112 based on each lottery result. Details of the lottery process will be described later.

  When the lottery process is completed, a reel fluctuation start process is performed (step S204). In the reel fluctuation start process, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in the previous game are processed on the condition that a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. The motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR are driven to start rotation of all the left, middle, and right reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. Thereby, the symbols are variably displayed on the variable display device 2. Here, when a predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of rotation in the previous game, the rotation is awaited for rotation, and the weight display unit 31 is notified by lighting the weight lamp 61. Also, the timing of one game timer for the next game is started.

  Thereafter, reel fluctuation stop processing is performed (step S205). In the reel fluctuation stop process, after a predetermined condition is established from the start of reel rotation (the reference position is detected by the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR after the rotation speed reaches a certain speed), the stop buttons 12L, 12C , 12R are enabled, and each is operated by the player, thereby stopping the driving of the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, 3MR and stopping the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R according to the setting state of the winning flag. At the same time, a reel stop command is transmitted to the effect control board 102. Further, when the elapsed time after the predetermined condition is satisfied reaches a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), the driving of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is forcibly stopped.

  When the driving of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped, in the display mode at the time of stopping, whether any of the above-mentioned role symbols is derived and displayed on the active line according to the bet number set in the BET process in step S202 A winning determination process for determining whether or not is performed (step S206). If it is determined in this winning determination process that a winning combination has been won, various processes corresponding to the winnings generated on the game control board 101 are performed.

  As processing according to the winning, when the big bonus is won, the big bonus winning flag is deleted and the big bonus medium flag is set. When a regular bonus or JACIN is won, the regular bonus winning flag or JACIN winning flag is deleted and the regular bonus flag is set. When the RT is won, the RT winning flag is deleted and the RT flag is set. When a replay is won, a replay flag is set. When winning a combination other than replay, the number of payouts according to the type of winning combination is set in the general work III 112-7.

  When the winning determination process ends, a payout process is performed (step S207). In the payout process, the credit is increased by the number of payouts set in the winning determination process. However, when the number of credits accumulated as data reaches 50, the hopper motor 82 is driven to pay out an excess number of medals from the medal payout slot 71. In addition, various processes not related to winning (including processes related to erasing winning flags other than bonus winning flags and ending bonuses) are also performed. Details of the payout process will be described later.

  When the payout process is completed, a status command transmission process is performed (step S208). The state command transmission process generates a state command based on the current set value, the big bonus medium flag, and the regular bonus medium flag stored in the RAM 112, and transmits the state command to the effect control board 102. Same as executed. Then, the process for one game ends, and the process for the next one game starts.

  Next, the lottery process in step S203 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the lottery process executed by the CPU 111 in step S203. In the lottery process, first, a random number acquisition process whose details will be described later is performed. In this random number acquisition process, a random number value for internal lottery is acquired based on the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 115 (step S301). Further, as the gaming situation of the current game, the current gaming state distinguished by the presence / absence of the setting of the big bonus medium flag, the regular bonus medium flag, or the RT flag, and the bet number set in the BET process in step S202 The currently set value is acquired and stored in a predetermined area of the general work III 112-8 (step S302).

  Next, the setting state of the common flag is referred to as the processing target in order for the combination registered in the table according to gaming state corresponding to the current gaming state (step S303). As a result, it is determined whether the common flag is set for both the set value and the BET number (step S304). If the common flag is set in any case, the number of determination values stored at the address registered for the combination in the gaming state table is acquired (step S305). Then, the process proceeds to step S307.

  On the other hand, if the common flag is not set, the determination value number stored in the address registered in the table according to the gaming state corresponding to the current setting value and the betting number acquired in step S302 for the combination is acquired. (Step S306). Then, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the number of determination values acquired in step S305 or S306 is added to the random number value for internal lottery, and the result of addition is used as a new random number value for internal lottery. Here, it is determined whether or not an overflow has occurred when the number of determination values is added to the random number for internal lottery (step S308).

  If an overflow occurs, it is determined whether the combination to be processed is a big bonus, a regular bonus, or RT (step S309). If it is any of them, it is determined whether the big bonus winning flag, the regular bonus winning flag, or the RT winning flag (which may be different from the combination to be processed) is already set in the previous game. (Step S310). If the big bonus winning flag, the regular bonus winning flag, or the RT winning flag is set, the lottery process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If the combination to be processed in step S309 is neither a big bonus, a regular bonus, nor RT, or if none of the big bonus winning flag, regular bonus winning flag, or RT winning flag is set in step S310 The winning flag of the target combination is set in a predetermined area of the general works 112-5 to 7 in accordance with the type of combination (step S311). Then, the lottery process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S308 that there is no overflow, it is determined whether there is a combination that has not yet been processed among the combinations registered in the gaming state table (step S312). If there is a combination that has not yet been processed, the process returns to step S303, and the processing is continued with the processing target as the next combination. If there is no combination not to be processed, the lottery process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the random number acquisition process in step S301 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the random number acquisition process executed by the CPU 111 in step S301. In the random number acquisition process, first, an interrupt to the CPU 111 is prohibited (step S401). Next, a sampling command is output to the sampling circuit 116, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 115 is latched, and the value of the latched random number is input from the I / O port 114 and extracted. The random number value extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is stored in the general-purpose register 111GR (step S402).

  Next, the lower byte value and upper byte value of the random number stored in the general-purpose register 111GR are exchanged with each other using the general work III 112-7 (step S403). Next, the value of the random number stored in the general-purpose register 111GR is ANDed with 8080h (step S404). Further, the upper byte (15th to 8th bits) is shifted downward by 1 bit, and 1 is inserted into the empty 15th bit. At this time, the value stored in the general-purpose register 111GR is acquired as a random number for internal lottery and stored in a predetermined area of the general work III 112-7 (step S405). Then, after permitting the interrupt prohibited in step S401 (step S406), the random number acquisition process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the payout process in step S207 will be described in detail. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the payout process executed by the CPU 111 in step S207. First, until the planned payout number set for the general work III 112-7 becomes 0, the winning combination is controlled by discharging the medal one by one by controlling the hopper 80 while subtracting the payout number one by one. The number of medals corresponding to is paid out to the player. However, if the number of credits has not reached 50, the number of credits is incremented by 1 instead of discharging medals one by one (step S501).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is RT based on whether or not the RT flag is set in the general work II 112-6 (step S502). If the current gaming state is RT, the number of digest games in the RT is counted using the game number counter provided in the general work II 112-6 (step S503). As a result of the counting, it is determined whether or not an RT termination condition has been met (step S504).

  If the RT end condition is satisfied, the RT flag set in the general work II 112-6 is erased, and the value of the game number counter provided in the general work II 112-6 is cleared (step S505). Then, the process proceeds to step S513. If the RT termination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S513.

  If the current gaming state is not RT, the current gaming state is changed to the regular bonus (including the case where it was provided during the big bonus) depending on whether the regular bonus medium flag is set in the general work II 112-6. (Step S506. If the current gaming state is not a regular bonus, the process directly proceeds to Step S510.

  If the current gaming state is a regular bonus, the number of digest games in the regular bonus is counted using the game number counter provided in the general work II 112-6, and the regular bonus is counted using the winning number counter. The number of winning games is counted (step S507). As a result of the counting, it is determined whether or not a regular bonus end condition has been met (step S508).

  If the regular bonus end condition is satisfied, the regular bonus medium flag set in the general work II 112-6 is deleted, and the values of the game number counter and the winning number counter provided in the general work II 112-6 are cleared. (Step S509). Then, the process proceeds to step S510. If the regular bonus end condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S510.

  In step S510, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is a big bonus (including a case in which a regular bonus is in progress), depending on whether or not the big bonus flag is set in the general work I112-5. If the current gaming state is not a big bonus, the process proceeds to step S513.

  If the current gaming state is a big bonus, the number of payout medals in the big bonus is counted using the payout number counter provided for the general work I112-5 (step S511). As a result of the counting, it is determined whether or not a big bonus end condition has been met (step S512). If it is not the big bonus end condition, the process proceeds to step S513. If it is the big bonus end condition, the process proceeds to step S515.

  In step S513, since the current game is ended except for the end of the big bonus, add + F is set in the address register as the start address of the area to be cleared in the RAM 112. Then, a RAM clear process, which will be described in detail later, is performed to clear the area after add + F of the RAM 112, that is, the area under the general work III 112-7 (step S514). Then, the payout process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  As a result, at the end of the current game, the winning flags of the small bonus, replay, JAC, and JACIN are erased, but the big bonus, regular bonus, and RT winning flags are not erased. When the big bonus medium flag, regular bonus medium flag, and RT medium flag are set, they are not deleted. In addition, the game situation of the current game, random numbers for internal lottery, and the like are cleared.

  In step S515, since the current game ends when the big bonus ends, add + D is set in the address register as the start address of the area to be cleared in the RAM 112. Then, a RAM clear process, which will be described in detail later, is performed to clear the area after add + D of the RAM 112, that is, the area below the general work I 112-5 (step S516). Then, the payout process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Thereby, at the end of the current game, the winning flags of the small role, replay, JAC, and JACIN are erased. Here, the big bonus, regular bonus, and RT winning flags are not set. The big bonus medium flag and the regular bonus medium flag (if set) are also deleted. Here, the RT flag is not set. In addition, the game situation of the current game, random numbers for internal lottery, and the like are cleared.

  Next, the RAM clear process in steps S104, S117, S514, and S516 described above will be described in detail. In the RAM clear process, the data at the address set in the address register of the RAM 112 is cleared. If the value of the address register is not add + H, which is the final address of the RAM 112, the value of the address register is incremented by 1, and the data at the address is cleared. When the value of the address register is “add + H”, the data at the address is cleared, and the RAM clear process ends.

  In the repetition of the game as described above, the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 shifts the game state between the normal game state, RT, regular bonus, and big bonus, and issues a command according to the progress of the game. It is transmitted to the production control board 102. On the other hand, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 performs an original effect based on the command received from the game control board 101. Hereinafter, processing executed by the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 to perform various effects will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing command reception standby processing executed by the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102. On the side of the effect control board 102, it is determined whether or not a command sent from the game control board 101 has been received (step S601). Until the command is received, the processing in step S601 is repeated, and the command is in a standby state. When any command is received from the game control board 101, it is determined what kind of the received command is (step S602).

  If the received command type is the initialization command transmitted in step S106, an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, the game effect LED 75 and / or the reel lamp 3LP is turned on, or a sound is output from the speaker 7. The present performance is stopped by the output of (No. S603). When the effect is stopped, the data in the RAM 122 is cleared (step S604). At this time, the stored setting value is also cleared, but since the setting value here is always 1, 1 is stored as the setting value in the RAM 112 (step S605). Then, the process returns to step S601.

  If the received command type is the setting change command transmitted in step S108, an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, the game effect LED 75 and / or the reel lamp 3LP is turned on, or a sound is output from the speaker 7. The present performance is stopped by the output of (No. S606). When the presentation is stopped, the data in the RAM 122 is cleared (step S607). At this time, the stored setting value is also cleared, but the new setting value is notified by the status command when the setting value changing operation is completed, so it is left as it is. Further, information indicating that the setting value changing operation is being performed is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, and the player is notified of this (step S608). Then, the process returns to step S601.

  If the received command type is the status command transmitted in step S119 or S208, the RAM 122 stores the setting value indicated by the status command and information indicating that a big bonus, regular bonus, or RT is in progress. (Step S609). Further, it is determined whether or not the liquid crystal display 4 is informed that the setting value is being changed (step S610). If it is not notified that the setting value changing operation is being performed, the process directly returns to step S601. If notified, the information displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is deleted, and the notification that the setting value is being changed is terminated (step S611). Then, the process returns to step S601.

  If the received command type is another command, processing corresponding to the type of each command (the details are omitted because it is not related to the present invention) is executed (step S612). Thereafter, the process returns to step S601.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, the determination value number that determines the winning probability of each combination determined according to the gaming state is stored in the address referenced from the gaming state table. Yes. The storage address may differ depending on the set value and / or the number of bets. However, for the role that makes the winning probability the same regardless of the set value and / or the number of bets, it is stored. The previous address is shared, that is, the determination value number is stored in common regardless of the set value and / or the bet number. By storing the number of determination values in common in this way, the storage capacity required for that is reduced.

  However, even if the addresses storing the set values and / or the number of determination values referred to according to the number of bets for the same combination from the table according to the game state of the same game state are different, the determination values stored at different addresses The numbers may be the same. In other words, even if the number of determination values is separately registered for the same combination according to the set value and / or the number of bets, the number of determination values may be the same.

  In general, in the development stage, it is assumed that the simulation is performed while adjusting the number of judgment values according to the set value and / or the number of bets (that is, adjusting the winning probability of internal lottery) for at least some of the roles. Yes. As the initial number of judgment values, a different number of judgment values was registered according to the set value and / or the number of bets. The number of values may be the same. As the initial number of judgment values, the same number of judgment values was registered according to the set value and / or the number of bets, but the number of judgment values registered from the beginning may be used as it is based on the simulation results. There is a case where the number of determination values is different from the original, that is, the number of determination values differs depending on the set value and / or the number of bets, depending on the simulation result. Then, the number of determination values obtained with an appropriate result in the simulation in each case is selected as the number of determination values to be set for the mass production model.

  Here, even if the number of judgment values adjusted by the simulation becomes the same regardless of the set value and / or the number of bets, the number of judgment values is assigned to the ROM 113 by the same address assignment as that in the development stage. And can be used as a model for mass production. For this reason, it is not necessary to change the method for storing the number of judgment values in the model for mass production from the model for development. Become.

  In addition, the internal lottery adds the judgment value number of each combination registered in the gaming state table to the acquired random number for internal lottery, and depending on whether or not the result of the addition overflows, It is assumed that the presence or absence of winning is determined. For this reason, an internal lottery can be performed using the number of determination values of each combination according to the game situation as it is. It should be noted that when the winning determination table is generated before the actual winning determination is made, the loop processing is required twice, but according to this embodiment, the loop processing in the lottery processing is only required once. Thus, the processing efficiency in the entire lottery process is high.

  The random number for internal lottery acquired by the random number acquisition process is not used as it is from the random number generation circuit 115 by the sampling circuit 116 but is used after being processed by software. The random number generation circuit 115 generates a random number by updating at a high speed with the frequency of the pulse signal of the pulse generation circuit 115a. However, in the random number for internal lottery processed by software, the periodicity of the update is increased by the processing. It will be lost.

  On the other hand, in the internal lottery, since the number of determination values corresponding to each combination is sequentially added to the value of the random number for internal lottery, the internal lottery in which each combination is won as shown in FIG. The random number value will be frozen. On the other hand, it is possible to prevent the player from aiming as much as possible by losing the periodicity of the random numbers for internal lottery by processing by software and varying the values.

  Moreover, the frequency of the pulse signal generated by the pulse generation circuit 115a to update the values of the counters 115b and 115c of the random number generation circuit 115 is higher than the frequency of the operation clock of the CPU 111, and is not an integral multiple. For this reason, the update of the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 115 becomes difficult to synchronize with the processing performed by the CPU 111. In addition, by increasing the frequency of the pulse signal of the pulse generation circuit 115a, the update speed of the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 115 can be made extremely fast.

  On the other hand, the processing of random numbers by software is performed by replacing the upper byte and lower byte of the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 by the sampling circuit 116, masking the 15th and 7th bits, and then bit-shifting the upper byte. Good. Therefore, even for a relatively large random number of 16 bits (actually masked 14 bits), the load required for processing necessary to lose periodicity is not so large, and can be easily obtained. Can do. Since a large random number can be acquired in this way, the probability setting in the internal lottery can be finely performed.

  Further, the setting value can be changed by turning on the power by the main switch 94 with the setting key switch 92 turned ON. At this time, a setting change command is transmitted to the effect control board 102. By receiving the setting change command, the effect control board 102 stops the effect being executed, and the data in the RAM 122 is cleared. And when changing the setting value, the effect based on the setting value before the change is not continued on the effect control board 102, so that there is no inconvenience due to such effect.

  When the effect control board 102 receives the setting change command, the liquid crystal display 4 notifies that the setting value changing operation is being performed until the state command is received. Since the setting change command is transmitted at the start of the setting value changing operation and the status command is transmitted at the end of the setting value changing operation, the setting value changing operation is performed during this time. By notifying the liquid crystal display 4, it is known from the outside that the setting value changing operation is being performed, and it is possible to prevent an unauthorized setting value changing operation from being performed.

  Even if the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on, the presentation control board 102 stops the running presentation by transmitting the initialization command, and the data in the RAM 122 is cleared. Therefore, the RAM 122 of the presentation control board 102 is broken. An effect different from the state on the side of the game control board 101 is not executed when the game control board 101 is not, so that annoyance due to such an effect is not felt. When the initialization command is received, 1 is stored as the set value in the RAM 122 of the effect control board 102, so that an effect different from the actual set value stored in the set value work 112-3 of the game control board 101 is executed. Can be prevented.

  When the setting key switch 92 is turned off after operating the start lever 11, a state command including information regarding the setting value is transmitted to the effect control board 102. By receiving this state command, the changed set value is also stored in the RAM 122 of the effect control board 102. As a result, the setting key switch 92 is turned off after the start lever 11 is operated, so that the setting value recognized on the side of the effect control board 102 is also reliably updated to the changed one, and the setting value changing operation In the game after ending, the production based on the changed set value can be surely performed.

  By the way, the state command transmitted to the effect control board 102 when the start lever 11 is operated and the setting key switch 92 is turned off to determine the set value is also used as the state command transmitted at the end of each game. ing. By sharing the status command in this way, the storage capacity required to handle a plurality of types of commands on the game control board 101 and the effect control board 102 can be reduced. In addition, the processing load when the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 determines the type of command can be reduced.

  Further, when the set value after the change is confirmed, the area below the important work 112-4 in the RAM 112 is cleared, but all winning flags of each combination are thereby deleted, a big bonus medium flag, a regular bonus medium flag Alternatively, even if the RT flag is set, the flag is deleted. Since the state command includes not only information related to the setting value but also information related to the gaming state, the gaming state recognized on the side of the effect control board 102 in the game executed after the setting value is changed is game control. There is no conflict with the gaming state recognized on the side of the substrate 101, and it is possible to reliably perform the production according to the gaming state.

  Further, the setting value can be changed by turning on the setting key switch 92 and turning on the power. However, even if this operation is performed, an error occurs if the front door is not opened. For this reason, even if a signal indicating that the setting switch 91 or the setting key switch 92 is operated by an illegal signal operation from the outside is input to the CPU 111, an error does not occur and the setting value is not changed. Even if a hole is made in the front door and the setting switch 91 or the setting key switch 92 is operated, an error occurs and the setting value is not changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized operation of changing the set value. In addition, since the occurrence of an error is notified to the outside by displaying an error code or the like, it is possible to prevent an illegal setting value changing operation from being performed even by this notification.

  By the way, the RAM 112 of the game control board 101 includes a stack area 112-1, a special work 112-2, a set value work 112-3, an important work 112-4, a general work I 112-5, and a general work II 112-. 6, general work III 112-7 and unused area 112-8, but some areas may be cleared depending on the established conditions. Here, when the condition for clearing the RAM 112 is established, an address is set according to the established condition, and all of the final address is cleared.

  For this reason, the process that differs depending on the established condition is only the setting of the start address of the area to be cleared, and the rest can be performed by the same RAM clear process, so that the control becomes easy. In addition to the head address of the area to be cleared, there is no need for data for finely designating the area to be cleared according to the established condition, and the amount of data for clearing the RAM 112 for each area can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, an initialization command is transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 when the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on, and a setting change command is transmitted when the setting value changing operation is started. It was a thing. On the other hand, if the setting value changing operation is not informed, the initial setting is the same as when the RAM 112 is broken when the power is turned on, not the setting changing command when starting the changing operation at the time of setting. It is good also as what transmits a command.

  The CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 stores 1 as a setting value in the RAM 122 when receiving the initialization command, but when the setting value changing operation is completed, the state command is transmitted, so that the game can be started. The correct setting value is also stored in the RAM 122, and no problem occurs. In this way, by using the command transmitted at the start of the setting value changing operation also as the initialization command, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity necessary for handling a plurality of types of commands in the game control board 101 and the effect control board 102, The processing load when the CPU 121 determines the type of command can also be reduced.

  Note that the command transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 when the setting value changing operation is ended may be a different type of command from the state command transmitted at the end of each game. When receiving a command indicating that the setting value changing operation has been completed, the CPU 121 can immediately end the notification that the setting value changing operation is being performed.

  In the above embodiment, the notification that the setting value changing operation is being performed is started by the setting change command transmitted when the setting value changing operation is started, and is transmitted when the setting value changing operation is completed. The notification that the setting value changing operation is being performed is terminated by the status command. However, the notification that the setting value changing operation has been performed is not performed continuously in the period from the start to the end of the setting value changing operation in this way, but at any timing in the period. can do.

  For example, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 may notify that the setting value changing operation has been started for a predetermined time after receiving the setting change command. Further, when a command of a type different from the state command transmitted at the end of each game is transmitted at the end of the setting value changing operation, the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 receives the command, It can also be notified that a setting value changing operation has been performed.

  In the above embodiment, the determination value number storage area uses a 2-byte area to store the determination value number in each case. However, in a general slot machine, the number of determination values of a combination such as a big bonus, a regular bonus, or RT cannot be set to exceed 255 in any game situation. Thus, for those that do not need to set the number of determination values exceeding 255, the number of determination values may be stored using only a 1-byte area.

  In the above embodiment, the number of determination values is stored in common for all of the setting values 1 to 6 or individually stored for each of the setting values 1 to 6. However, it is assumed that the number of determination values is not stored in common for all of the setting values 1 to 6 (the common flag for the setting value is not set). About 4-6, the number of judgment values can also be made common. The same applies to the number of determination values for the bet number. For example, the bet numbers 1 and 2 may be common, and the bet number 3 may be individual.

  In the above embodiment, the number of determination values acquired in accordance with the set value or the like is sequentially added to the random number value for internal lottery, but from the value of random number for internal lottery that acquired the acquired determination value number Subtraction may be performed sequentially, and the result of subtraction may be used as a new random value for internal lottery. When the number of determination values is subtracted from the random number value for internal lottery, the 15th and 14th bits of the random number for internal lottery are set to “0”, and the subtraction result overflows (here, the subtraction result is negative) It can be determined whether or not

  In the above embodiment, regardless of whether the big bonus winning flag, the regular bonus winning flag or the RT winning flag is set, when the game state is normal or RT, the big bonus and regular bonus (and RT (normal The number of determination values (when in the gaming state) is acquired to determine whether or not these roles have been won, but the big bonus winning flag, regular bonus winning flag or RT winning flag is set. Sometimes, even if it is determined that the winning combination has been won, the corresponding winning flag is not set.

  On the other hand, when the big bonus winning flag, the regular bonus winning flag or the RT winning flag is already set, the lottery of these combinations may not be performed. That is, when the big bonus winning flag, the regular bonus winning flag or the RT winning flag is set, the number of determination values corresponding to these combinations may not be added to the random number for internal lottery. In this case, the number of times of performing overflow determination as a result of adding the number of determination values to the random number for internal lottery can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the internal lottery sequentially adds the number of judgment values of each combination according to the game situation to the acquired random value for internal lottery, and when the addition result overflows, the winning combination is won. It was supposed to be judged. On the other hand, a winning determination table in which a determination value for determining each combination as winning is determined for each game in accordance with the number of determination values for each combination according to the game situation, and the internal random number for internal lottery acquired It is good also as what performs an internal lottery by comparing this value with the determination value of each combination.

  In the case of a regular bonus, the number of bets is fixed at 1. Therefore, a winning determination table may be created only at the start of the regular bonus without creating a winning determination table for each game. A regular bonus game is played with a single bet, but in other games, a 3-card betting-dedicated machine must be played with a 3-stake bet without creating a winning determination table for each game. The winning determination table may be generated only in the game after the change operation is performed or when the game state is changed.

  In the above embodiment, different game state-specific tables are used for the normal game state and RT. However, only the replay and RT (the role of only the normal gaming state) are different in the number of determination values applied in the normal gaming state and RT. For this reason, a common gaming state table is shared between the normal gaming state and the RT, and the same replay and RT are common to the common flag indicating that the number of determination values is stored according to the set value and the number of bets. Different numbers of judgment values can be applied using flags.

  In the above embodiment, the entire high-order byte of the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is replaced with the low-order byte, and the whole low-order byte is replaced with the high-order byte. On the other hand, the data of a specific bit among the random number bits extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is simply replaced with data of other bits (however, other than the masked seventh and fifteenth bits). Also good. Alternatively, the random number value extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 may be directly acquired as a random number for internal lottery. Furthermore, it may be processed into a random number for internal lottery by a method different from the above embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a first modification of the process (step S301) until the CPU 111 processes the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 into a random number for internal lottery by software. Also in the first modification, the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is stored in the 16-bit general-purpose register 111GR included in the CPU 111.

  When the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is stored in the general-purpose register 111GR, the CPU 111 further extracts the value of the internal refresh register 111R as a processing random number. The CPU 111 adds the processing random number extracted from the refresh register 111R to the value of the upper byte of the general-purpose register 111GR (the value extracted from the upper counter 115c). The lower byte value of the general register 111GR (the value extracted from the lower counter 115b) is left as it is.

  Next, the CPU 111 performs an AND operation on the value of the general-purpose register 111GR, that is, a value obtained by adding a processing random number to the upper byte and 8080h. Further, the CPU 111 shifts the upper 1 byte (8th bit to 15th bit) to the lower bit by bit, and inserts 1 into the empty 15th bit. The CPU 111 acquires the value stored in the general-purpose register 111GR at this time as a random number for internal lottery, and sequentially adds the number of determination values to this.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a second modification of the process (step S301) until the CPU 111 processes the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 into a random number for internal lottery by software. Also in this example, the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is stored in the 16-bit general-purpose register 111GR included in the CPU 111.

  When the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 is stored in the general-purpose register 111GR, the CPU 111 further extracts the value of the internal refresh register 111R as a processing random number. The CPU 111 adds the processing random number extracted from the refresh register 111R to the value of the upper byte of the general-purpose register 111GR (the value extracted from the upper counter 115c). The processing random number extracted from the refresh register 111R is also added to the lower byte value (the value extracted from the lower counter 115b) of the general-purpose register 111GR.

  Next, the CPU 111 performs an AND operation on the value of the general-purpose register 111GR, that is, a value obtained by adding a processing random number to the upper byte and the lower byte, respectively, with 8080h. Further, the CPU 111 shifts the upper 1 byte (8th bit to 15th bit) to the lower bit by bit, and inserts 1 into the empty 15th bit. The CPU 111 acquires the value stored in the general-purpose register 111GR at this time as a random number for internal lottery, and sequentially adds the number of determination values to this.

  In the first and second modified examples described above, the value of the refresh register 111R is extracted as a random number for processing, and this is extracted from the high-order byte of the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 (in the second modified example, further lower byte) ) To process random numbers. The random number processing applied here includes at least processing for adding a processing random number to the upper byte. Thereby, the variation of the random numbers for internal lottery can be increased, and the player can prevent the aiming as much as possible.

  Further, since the processing random numbers are extracted from the refresh register 111R, no special configuration is required as means for generating the processing random numbers. Moreover, since the value of the refresh register 111R is updated every time the CPU 111 fetches an instruction, and the update interval is not constant, a random number with high randomness can be extracted as a processing random number. And since the randomness of the processing random number is high, the randomness of the random number for internal lottery generated using the random number is also high.

  In the first and second modified examples, the value extracted from the refresh register 111R is added to the upper byte (and the lower byte) of the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115. A value that is periodically updated by hardware or software may be added. Further, instead of adding a value extracted from the refresh register 111R (or a value replacing the refresh register 111R), a logical operation such as subtraction, logical sum, or logical product may be performed.

  Further, bit replacement such as replacement of the upper byte and the lower byte shown in the above embodiment may be used in combination with the first and second modifications. Also in the first and second modified examples, during the period from the extraction of the random number from the random number generation circuit 115 to the end of processing, the interrupt to the CPU 111 is prevented in order to prevent the contents of the general-purpose register 111GR from being rewritten. It will be prohibited.

  Further, in the second modification, processing random numbers to be added to the upper and lower bytes of the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 may be separately extracted from the refresh register 111R at different timings. Separately prepare the processing random number to be added to the upper byte and the processing random number to be updated to the lower byte. Means for extracting may be provided. In this case, one of the means for updating the processing random number for the upper byte and the means for updating the processing random number for the lower byte can be configured by the refresh register 111R.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the case where the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 115, that is, the random number extracted by the hardware random number function is processed by software has been described. However, the random number processing by the software described above may be applied to a random number that is periodically updated by software. For example, the microcomputer constituting the control unit 110 is an I / O port that causes the CPU 111 to send an instruction to the second microcomputer to extract a random number periodically updated by a timer interrupt or the like in the first microcomputer. It can be input to the CPU 111 via 114 and stored in the general-purpose register 111GR. The function of the second microcomputer may be included in the microcomputer constituting the control unit 110. Also in this case, the random number value obtained after processing can be varied, and the effect of preventing the player from aiming can be achieved.

  In the above embodiment, information related to the progress of the game and information related to the execution of the effect, and information that needs to be changed are stored in the RAMs 112 and 122 of the game control board 101 and the effect control board 102, respectively. It was a thing. On the other hand, information that is not frequently updated, such as set values, may be stored in an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory (EEPROM, flash memory, etc.). Corresponding to the initialization of the data in the RAMs 112 and 122 in the above embodiment, the data in such a nonvolatile memory may be initialized.

  In the above embodiment, for the RAM 112 of the game control board 101, the head address of the area to be cleared is set according to the established condition, and all the addresses up to the final address are cleared. For the RAM 122 of the production control board 102, if an area to be cleared is determined according to the established condition, the area is arranged in the same manner as the RAM 112, and all addresses from the address according to the established condition to the final address are cleared. It can be. The type of the established condition can be notified to the CPU 121 of the effect control board 102 by a command.

  In the above embodiment, there are three game states that are advantageous to the player other than the normal game state, namely, big bonus, regular bonus, and RT, all of which are controlled by processing by the game control board 101. there were. On the other hand, AT (Assist Time) for notifying the type of the selected small combination and the operation order of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R for winning the small combination is regarded as an advantageous game state for the player. It may be provided. This AT can be controlled by processing by the effect control board 102.

  Announcement probability of AT lottery whether or not to shift gaming state to AT, determination probability of number of AT games from transitioning gaming state to AT to end, notification for each game when gaming state is AT Probability and the like can also be different according to the set value. Since the setting value recognized by the effect control board 102 can be reliably updated by transmitting the state command when the change of the setting value is confirmed as described above, the setting value recognized by the game control board 101 Thus, the AT control can be performed on the effect control board 102 without causing any discrepancy.

  In the above embodiment, the variable display device 2 includes the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a predetermined order on the outer periphery, and the symbols are driven by rotational driving of these reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. Was variably displayed. However, a device that virtually displays a symbol on a display device such as a liquid crystal display device may be used instead of the variable display device 2 described above.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a slot machine has been described as an example. On the other hand, there is a pachinko gaming machine in which the jackpot probability of the special figure game differs according to the setting value. In such a pachinko gaming machine, the setting value changing operation is performed in the same manner as the slot machine 1 described above. Is called. Also in the pachinko gaming machine, as in the slot machine 1 described above, the control circuit is configured by dividing it into a game control board that controls the progress of the game and an effect control board that controls effects such as execution of a special game. Yes.

  The command transmission at the start and end of the setting value changing operation applied to the slot machine 1 described above can be applied in the pachinko gaming machine. The command transmitted at these timings can also be used with other commands in the pachinko gaming machine. Notifying that a setting value changing operation is being performed can also be applied in a pachinko gaming machine. It is possible to change the set value on the condition that the front door is in an open state, and it can also be applied to a pachinko gaming machine.

  In addition, whether or not to win the special game result in the pachinko machine is determined according to the random number for determining the jackpot, and is determined according to the value of the acquired random number. The random number acquisition method can also be applied to acquire a jackpot determination random number. The method of acquiring random numbers for internal lottery of the modification shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 can also be applied for acquiring random numbers for jackpot determination.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control circuit of the slot machine of FIG. 1. (A) is a block diagram showing a configuration of a random number generation circuit, and (b) is an explanatory diagram until a random number extracted from the random number generation circuit is processed into a random number for internal lottery by software. It is a figure which shows the example of the table according to gaming state. It is a figure which shows the example of the storage area of the number of judgment values. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between the number of determination values, the value of the random number for internal lottery, and a winning combination. It is a figure which shows the memory map of RAM of a game control board. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control part in a game control board performs at the time of power activation. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control part in a game control board performs for every game. It is a flowchart which shows the lottery process of FIG. 9 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the random number acquisition process of FIG. 10 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the payout process of FIG. 9 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control part in an effect control board performs. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st modification until it processes the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit into the random number for internal lottery by software. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd modification until it processes the random number extracted from the random number generation circuit into the random number for internal lottery by software.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Variable display device 91 Setting switch 92 Setting key switch 94 Main switch 95 Door open sensor 101 Game control board 102 Effect control board 111 CPU
111R refresh register 111GR general-purpose register 112 RAM
115 random number generation circuit 116 sampling circuit

Claims (3)

A gaming machine comprising setting change operation means that can be operated by opening the front door,
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game and transmitting control information according to the progress of the game;
Effect control means for receiving control information transmitted from the game control means and controlling execution of an effect relating to at least the game based on the received control information, and including rewritable effect storage means; With
The game control means includes
A pre-determining means for pre-determining with a predetermined probability that a predetermined winning is permitted;
It is divided according to the importance of information to be stored as a specific area for storing information indicating the stage set for the payout rate calculated based on the predetermined probability and an area for storing information regarding the progress of the game. Game storage means including a special area and a general area;
Opening detection means for detecting whether or not the front door is in an open state;
It is detected by the opening detection means that the front door is in an open state, and a predetermined setting change is made by operating a change permission start operating means that can be operated by opening the front door. A change period start control means for establishing a permission condition and starting a setting change period;
In the setting modification period, I'm particular at least the setting change operation means is operated, a setting changing means for changing the stored in the specific area phase,
Stage display control means for causing the display means to display a stage before the change in which information is stored in the game storage means when the setting change period is started;
Initialization control information transmitting means for transmitting, to the effect control means, initialization control information for instructing initialization of storage information of the effect storage means when the setting change period starts;
Setting control information transmitting means for transmitting setting control information including information on the set stage after the change when the setting change period ends ;
An initialization means for initializing information stored in the general area of the areas included in the game storage means when changing the stage by the setting change means ;
The presentation control means initializes the information relating to the execution of at least effect of the stored information of the presentation storage means by receiving the initialization control information, which is the set by receiving the setting control information gaming machine, characterized in that you store storing information about the stage the presentation storage means. The game control means is in a closed state for notifying predetermined information when the change permission start operation means is operated when the opening detection means detects that the front door is in the closed state. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit. The production control means further includes a setting change notification means for notifying that the stage change is performed by the setting change means from the reception of the initialization control information to the reception of the setting control information. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized by the above.

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