JP4767356B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by, for example, a pachinko gaming machine or a coin gaming machine, and more specifically, has a variable display device whose display state can be changed, and a display result of the variable display device is predetermined. The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player.

  Conventionally known as this type of gaming machine is, for example, a variable display device whose display state can be changed, and a specific display mode in which the display result of the variable display device is predetermined (for example, 777), there is a gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state (big hit state) advantageous to the player.

  In this type of gaming machine, when the start condition of the variable display device such as start winning is established, the game control means including the game control microcomputer is immediately changed to the variable display control means including the display control microcomputer. Some command information such as a command for commanding variable start is sent, and the variable display device is variably started immediately after the start condition is satisfied.

  However, this type of conventional gaming machine has the following problems. When the variable display device is variably started immediately in response to the establishment of the start condition of the variable display device, in the period from the variable start to the derivation display of the display result, on the game control means side, a hit, variable display time, and In addition to the determination processing for determining the display result and the like, it is necessary to perform various controls related to variable display control such as output control of command information related to variable display. For this reason, on the game control means side, the processing load of the control processing relating to the variable display is too biased after starting the variable.

  However, if the processing load of the control processing related to variable display is biased after the start of variable, the control processing related to variable display control such as an excessive amount of data processing of the control processing related to variable display control in the game control means. There is a risk that the control process related to variable display cannot be performed smoothly.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of smoothly performing control processing relating to variable display control in the game control means. .

Specific examples of means for solving the problems and their effects

[Means for solving problems]
A gaming machine having a variable display device capable of changing a display state and capable of being controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to a player when a display result of the variable display device is in a predetermined specific display mode. There,
Means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine, and game control means for outputting command information for controlling display on the variable display device;
And a variable display control means for performing control to derive display the display result after starting the variable display in the variable display device in accordance with the instruction information output from the recreation control means,
The game control means includes
Starting condition determining means for determining whether or not a variable display starting condition is satisfied in the variable display device;
Based on the fact that the starting condition is determined by the starting condition determining means, a predetermined determination process is performed to determine a variable display mode of variable display in the variable display device . Determination processing means;
Command information output means for outputting the command information for commanding variable display control in a variable display mode determined based on a determination result of the predetermined determination process ,
The instruction information output unit, as the command information, the timing for starting variable display of said variable display device, and outputs a variable start instruction information capable of specifying whether to execute the variable display time and reach demonstration, display result The derivation display command information is output at the timing of derivation display.
The variable display control means performs control to start variable display in the variable display device when the variable start command information is output, and executes a reach effect based on the variable start command information, and the derived display command Control the derivation and display of the display result when information is output,
The command information output means outputs the variable start command information after elapse of a predetermined period after the start condition determination means determines that the start condition is satisfied,
The variable display determination processing means completes the execution of the predetermined determination process within the predetermined period.

[Action]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it operates as follows. Command information for controlling display on the variable display device is output by the action of game control means which is means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine. By the function of the variable display control means, control for deriving and displaying the display result after starting variable display in the variable display device according to the command information output from the game control means is performed. By the action of the start condition determining means included in the game control means, it is determined whether or not the variable display start condition in the variable display device is satisfied. In order to determine the variable display mode of the variable display in the variable display device based on the fact that the start condition determination means has determined that the start condition has been established by the action of the variable display determination processing means included in the game control means. Predetermined determination processing necessary for the above is performed. With the further function of the command information output means, variable start command information that can specify whether or not to execute variable display time and reach production is output as command information at the timing of starting variable display on the variable display device, and display Derived display command information is output at a timing for deriving and displaying the result. By the further function of the variable display control means, when the variable start command information is output, control for starting variable display in the variable display device is performed, and a reach effect is executed based on the variable start command information. Control is performed to derive and display a display result when information is output. Due to the action of the command information output means included in the game control means, command information for commanding variable display control in a variable display mode determined based on the determination result of the predetermined determination process is output. By the further function of the command information output means, the variable start command information is output after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start condition determination means has determined that the start condition has been established. Due to the further action of the variable display determination processing means, execution of the predetermined determination processing is completed within a predetermined period. As described above, the variable start command information is output after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start condition is satisfied, but the execution of the predetermined determination process necessary for determining the variable display mode is completed within the predetermined period. . That is, the predetermined determination process is completed at a stage before the variable start command information is output, that is, before the variable display is started. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent the control burden related to the variable display control in the game control means from being excessively biased after the variable is started. As a result, it becomes possible to perform smoothly the control process regarding the variable display control in the game control means.

[Effects of specific examples of means for solving problems]
With respect to claim 1, the following effects can be obtained. Although the variable start command information is output after a predetermined period has elapsed since the start condition is satisfied, execution of the predetermined determination process necessary for determining the variable display mode is completed within the predetermined period. That is, the predetermined determination process is completed at a stage before the variable start command information is output, that is, before the display is variably started. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the control burden related to the variable display control in the game control means from being excessively biased after the variable starts. As a result, it is possible to smoothly perform control processing relating to variable display control in the game control means.

It is a whole front view which shows the pachinko game machine of an example of the game machine with which the card unit was adjacent. It is a whole rear view which shows the partial internal structure of the pachinko game machine with which the card unit was adjacent. It is a rear view of the game board of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows a part of circuit structure in a game control board. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit circuit structure in a display control board with CRT which implement | achieves an image display. It is a figure which shows the various random counters which the basic circuit by the side of a game control board uses for game control. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence which determines whether it becomes a jackpot as a result of the variable display of the special symbol based on the start memory when there is a start memory. It is a flowchart which shows the game control main process and interruption process which are performed by the basic circuit. It is a flowchart for demonstrating special symbol process processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a special symbol start port switch process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the special symbol fluctuation waiting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a special symbol determination process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a special symbol setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a symbol fluctuation | variation setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a symbol determination setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating jackpot end processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display control data process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an output standby process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display control data output process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the relationship between the output timing of a display control command, and the fluctuation | variation of a left middle right design. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the output timing of display control command data, and the data taking-in timing of the display control command by the display control board side. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various random counters used for display control by the display control board side. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the display control main process which CPU for display control of a display control board performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating INT interruption processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display control process process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating command processing. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the counter value of a random counter, and a hit line. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the hit line in the image display area of a variable display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the symbol setting table which stores the display data of the special symbol displayed on an image display area. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a fluctuation | variation display process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a fixed symbol setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a stop symbol setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display line setting process. It is a figure which shows the example of the appearance pattern of the special symbol isolate | separated and displayed in an image display area, and the hit line in each appearance stage. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the variable display in an image display area.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a coin gaming machine, a slot machine, or the like, and the display state can be changed. Applicable to all game machines that have a variable display device and can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display device is in a predetermined specific display mode. Is possible.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention and a card unit 50 installed correspondingly.

  The card unit 50 is provided with a card availability display lamp 151, and the player is notified by the lighting or blinking of the card availability display lamp 151 that the card unit 50 is in a usable state. This card unit 50 is installed in a state where it is inserted between a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 installed on the gaming machine installation island, and it indicates which of the left and right gaming machines is connected to the connected table. Displayed by the instrument 153.

  When the player inserts a prepaid card in which the card balance is recorded into the card insertion slot 155, the card balance recorded in the prepaid card is read. Next, when the player performs a predetermined ball lending operation, the balance for the lending unit amount set in advance is reduced, and the hit ball for the lending unit amount is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 It is rented out to dish 3.

  The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 152. By pressing the fraction display switch 152, for example, information such as a card balance or an error code when an error occurs is displayed on an information display (not shown) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the figure, reference numeral 156 denotes a card unit lock, which is configured to open the front side of the card unit 50 by inserting a predetermined key into the card unit lock 156 and performing an unlocking operation.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the rear of the glass door frame 2. A hitting ball supply tray 3 is provided on the lower surface of the glass door frame 2. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and an operation knob 5 for a player to hit the ball. When the player operates the operation knob 5, the pachinko balls stored in the hit ball supply tray 3 can be launched one by one. In the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 is provided for variably starting a special symbol as an example of identification information. The variable display device 8 is provided with a variable display 10 for a normal symbol in which a normal symbol is variably displayed as the hit ball passes through the passage gate 11, and a start memory display 18. Further, below the variable display device 8, there are provided a starting electric accessory 15 having a starting opening 14, and a variable winning ball device 19 that is in an open state in which a hitting ball can be won by tilting the opening / closing plate 20. It has been. The starter electric accessory 15 is provided with movable pieces on the left and right. In addition, as general winning holes, winning holes 24 are provided at the upper portion of the variable display device 8, the left and right sides of the variable winning ball device 19, and the lower left and right sides of the game area 7, respectively. Reference numeral 26 denotes an out port that is collected as an out ball when the hit ball that has been driven does not win any of the winning holes or the variable winning ball apparatus, and 25 is a decorative lamp.

  A frame lamp (game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b and 28c), a prize ball lamp 51 that is turned on when the prize ball is paid out, and a lamp ball break lamp 52 that is turned on when the ball is blown are provided on the outer periphery of the game area 7. Speakers 27 and 27 for generating sound effects such as stereo sound are provided on the left and right above the game area 7.

  The variable display device 8 is composed of a CRT display capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of special symbols. In the central image display area 9 of the variable display device 8, a plurality of types of special symbols are scroll-displayed from top to bottom on the condition that a start winning has occurred. After that, as a result of the end of the variable display after a predetermined time has passed, if the slot of the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed on any one of a plurality of predetermined hit lines, a big hit is obtained. If it is a big hit, the opening / closing plate 20 of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 tilts and the big winning opening is opened. As a result, the first state is controlled to be advantageous to the player who can win the hit ball in the big winning opening, and the gaming state becomes the specific gaming state (big hit state) advantageous to the player.

  A count switch 23 for detecting a ball won in the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is provided inside the large winning opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 19. The special winning opening is divided into a specific winning area and a normal winning area, and a V count switch 22 for detecting a V winning is provided in the specific winning area. The winning ball that has won the specific winning area is detected by the V count switch 22 and then detected by the count switch 23. On the other hand, a normal winning ball won in the normal winning area is detected only by the count switch 23 in the large winning opening. Each time a winning ball won in the variable winning ball device 19 is detected by the count switch 23, 15 prize balls are paid out.

  The first state of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is either when the number of hit balls that have entered the big winning opening reaches a predetermined number (for example, 9) or when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. When the earlier condition is established, the process is temporarily terminated and the opening / closing plate 20 is closed. Thereby, the variable winning ball device 19 is controlled to the second state which is disadvantageous for the player who cannot win a hit ball. Then, on the condition that the hit ball that has entered during the period in which the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is in the first state has made a specific winning in the specific winning area and has been detected by the V count switch 22, the variable winning ball is again detected. The repeated continuation control for setting the device 19 to the first state is executed. The upper limit number of executions of this repeated continuation control is set to 16 times, for example. In the repeated continuation control, a state in which the variable winning ball device 19 is in the first state is called a round. When the upper limit number of executions of the repeated continuation control is 16, the variable winning ball apparatus 19 can be set to the first state for 16 rounds from the first round to the 16th round.

  A warp inlet 11 is provided in each of the left side portion and the right side portion of the variable display device 8. The hit ball that has entered the warp inlet 11 flows down through the back side of the variable display device 8 and is discharged from the warp outlet 13 to the game area 7 again. For this reason, the hit ball discharged from the warp outlet 13 is in a state where it is relatively easy to win the start opening 14.

  The hit ball that has entered the warp inlet 11 is detected by the gate switch 12. On the condition that the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12, the variable display 10 for normal symbols is variably started. If a hit ball is further detected by the gate switch 12 while the variable symbol display 10 is variably displayed, the passing ball is stored with the upper limit of “4” as the storage number. The number is displayed by the number of lit LEDs on a passage memory display (not shown).

  The normal symbol variable display 10 is composed of a 7-segment display, and identification information called a normal symbol is variably displayed. If the display result of the normal symbol variable display 10 becomes a specific display mode (for example, 7) determined in advance, it becomes “winning”. When the “winning” display result is derived on the normal symbol variable display 10, the pair of left and right movable pieces provided on the starter electric accessory 15 is opened once. As a result, the starter electric accessory 15 is opened and the hitting ball becomes easier to win. If one starting ball wins when the starting electric accessory 15 is in the open state, the movable piece closes to the original position, and the hit ball returns to a state where it is difficult to start winning. Further, if a predetermined opening period elapses after the starter electric accessory 15 is in the open state, the movable piece is closed to the original position and the open state is ended even if no start winning is generated. As will be described later, in the probability variation state, the starter electric accessory 15 is opened twice, and the opening period of one time is extended.

  The start winning ball won in the start opening 14 is detected by a start opening switch 17 provided on the game board 6. When the start winning ball is detected by the start opening switch 17, five prize balls are paid out, and the variable display device 8 is variably started based on the detection output. The start prize detected by the start port switch 17 while the variable display device 8 is variably displayed is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the stored number, and the stored number is displayed on the start storage display 18 by the number of lit LEDs. The

  When the jackpot result displayed on the variable display device 8 is constituted by a specific probability variation symbol (for example, “7” of the number symbol), after the end of the specific gaming state based on the jackpot, The probability variation state in which the probability that a big hit occurs is higher than that in the normal gaming state). In the following, jackpots with probability variation symbols are referred to as probability variation jackpots. Once the probability variation jackpot occurs once in the normal gaming state, the probability variation state is continuously controlled until at least a predetermined probability variation continuation number (for example, once or twice) has occurred. Further, if a probability variation big hit occurs during the probability variation state, the probability variation continuation count is counted again after that probability variation big hit, and then the probability variation state continues until at least the number of probability variation continuations occurs. If the jackpot that has reached the probability variation continuation count is due to a non-probability variation symbol other than the probability variation symbol, the normal gaming state in which the probability variation does not occur is returned.

  Therefore, when no restriction is placed on the continuous control of the probability variation state, the probability variation state continues indefinitely at least as long as the big hit that has reached the number of times of the probability change continues is the probability change big hit. In the case of this pachinko gaming machine 1, once the probability variation state continues to some extent, once the probability variation jackpot is continuously generated during the probability variation state in order to end the continuous control to the probability variation state, An upper limit has been set. When the big hit display mode is determined to be an uncertain change big hit based on the upper limit number of times, the continuous control of the probability variation state is forcibly terminated at that time. It is to be noted that the restriction that prohibits the big hit with the probability variation symbol is called a limiter operation.

  In the probability variation state, the probability of hitting the normal symbol increases, and the variable display period (variation time) from when the normal symbol variable display starts until the display result is derived and displayed is shortened. Further, in the probability variation state, the number of times the starter electric component 15 is opened from the normal symbol hit increases from 1 to 2, and the opening period of one time increases from 0.2 seconds to 1.4 seconds. Extended.

  Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine with adjacent card units.

  A mechanism plate 36 is provided on the back side of the game board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A ball tank 38 is provided on the upper portion of the mechanism plate 36, and pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tank 38 from above in a state where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island. The pachinko balls in the ball tank 38 are supplied to the ball dispensing device through the guide rod 39.

  On the mechanism plate 36, a variable display control unit 29 including a display control board 80 that performs display control of the image display area 9 through the relay board 30, a game that is covered with the board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer, etc. Prize board 37 on which a control board 31, a relay board 33 for relaying signals between the variable display control unit 29 and the game control board 31, a payout control microcomputer for carrying out payout control of pachinko balls, and the like are mounted. Is installed. Further, on the mechanism plate 36, a ball hitting device 34 for launching a hit ball to the game area 7 using the rotational force of the motor, and a lamp for sending a signal to the speaker 27 and the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c. A control board 35 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the game board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. On the back surface of the game board 6, as shown in FIG. 3, a winning ball collective cover 40 is provided for guiding the winning balls that have won the winning holes and the winning ball devices along a predetermined winning path. The winning ball guided by the winning ball collective cover 40 is supplied to a winning ball processing device (not shown) for processing one winning ball. The winning ball processing device is provided with a winning ball detection switch 99 (see FIG. 4), and a detection signal of the winning ball detection switch 99 is sent to the game control board 31.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the game control board 31. FIG. 4 shows a game control board (also referred to as a main board) 31, a prize ball board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a launch control board 91, and a display control board 80 as control boards.

  The winning ball board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, the launch control board 91, and the display control board 80 are equipped with microcomputers, and are provided with, for example, a CPU and an I / O port.

  A ball dispensing device 97 and a card unit 50 are connected to the prize ball substrate 37. Connected to the lamp control board 35 are a game effect LED 28a, a prize ball lamp 51, a ball break lamp 52, and game effect lamps 28b and 28c. An operation knob (hit ball operation handle) 5 and a drive motor 94 for driving a ball hitting hammer (not shown) are connected to the firing control board 91. The driving force of the drive motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. A variable display device 8 (not shown) is connected to the display control board 80. A speaker 27 is connected to the sound control board 70.

  The game control board 31 includes a basic circuit (game control microcomputer) 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a game control program, a switch circuit 58, a solenoid circuit 59, a lamp / LED circuit 60, and an information output circuit. 64, an initial reset circuit 65, and an address decode circuit 67 are provided.

  The basic circuit 53 is a microcomputer for game control, and includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program, a RAM 55 used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing control operations in accordance with a control program, and an I / O port 57. Including. The basic circuit 53 repeatedly executes the game control program that is reset periodically (for example, every 2 msec) and stored in the ROM 54 from the top.

  The initial reset circuit 65 is a circuit that resets the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on. The basic circuit 53 initializes the pachinko gaming machine 1 in response to the initial reset pulse sent from the initial reset circuit 65. The address decode circuit 67 is a circuit that decodes the address signal supplied from the basic circuit 53 and outputs a signal for selecting any one of the I / O ports 57.

  The switch circuit 58 is a circuit that supplies signals from various switches to the basic circuit 53. The switch circuit 58 is connected to the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning ball detection switch 99.

  The information output circuit 64 is based on the data given from the basic circuit 53, probability variation information indicating that a probability variation has occurred and a probability variation state, jackpot information indicating that a big hit has occurred and a specific gaming state has occurred, In addition, the circuit is a circuit for outputting start winning information indicating the occurrence of the start winning that is effectively used for variable display of the image display area 9 to the host computer such as a hall management computer.

  The solenoid circuit 59 is a circuit that drives the solenoid 16 that operates the movable piece of the starting electric accessory 15 and the solenoid 21 that opens and closes the opening / closing plate 20 of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53.

  The lamp / LED circuit 60 is a circuit that controls lighting and extinction of the variable display (ordinary symbol variable display) 10, the decorative lamp 25, and the start-up memory display 18.

  A command, which is an example of command information, is transmitted from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, and the display control board 80.

  The commands transmitted from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37 include commands as command information related to prize ball payout control and commands as command information related to ball payout control (for example, ball lending prohibition command, Lending prohibition release command, etc.).

  The command transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 is a display control command, and a change start command for starting the change of the variable display device 8 is a command related to a special symbol among the display control commands. And a fixed symbol designation command for designating a fixed symbol (scheduled stop symbol), a symbol fixed command for designating the end of variation, and the like. This display control command is composed of two sets of 2-byte data of MODE data and EXT data each consisting of 1-byte data. The MODE data is data indicating a command type such as a change start command or a fixed symbol designation command, and the EXT data is data that specifically specifies a specific display control content among the command types indicated by the MODE data.

  The basic circuit 53 outputs a predetermined lamp control command to the lamp control board 35 based on occurrence of a big hit or winning. On the lamp control board 35, lighting control of the electrical decorative component is performed based on the lamp control command.

  The basic circuit 53 outputs a predetermined voice control command to the voice control board 70 based on occurrence of a big hit or winning. The sound control board 70 performs control to output a predetermined sound effect from the speaker 27 based on the sound control command.

  The basic circuit 53 pays out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the detection signal of the winning ball detection switch 99, the detection signal of the start port switch 17, the detection signal of the V count switch 22, and the detection signal of the count switch 23. A prize ball signal is output to the prize ball substrate 37. The prize ball substrate 37 controls the ball dispensing device based on the outputted prize ball signal to perform a control for dispensing a predetermined number of prize balls.

  More specifically, for example, 15 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball for the winning ball that has won the big winning gate of the variable winning ball apparatus 19, and one for the winning ball that has won the starting winning port 14. For example, 6 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball, and for the other winning balls 24 awarded to the winning opening 24, for example, 10 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball.

  In order to control the payout of such three types of prize balls, the game control board 31 performs a control operation as follows. When a detection signal from the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 is input, the detection signal is used as a payout number determination data used when determining the payout number of the award balls. The number of payouts is temporarily stored internally. Thereafter, if a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 is input, it is determined by referring to the payout number determination data whether there is a detection signal from the start port switch 17 before the input. The game control board 31 outputs a prize ball command signal for instructing the prize ball board 37 to pay out the number of prize balls “6”. On the other hand, when there is a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 and there is a detection signal from the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 before that, the game control board 31 has a prize ball of “15”. A number of prize ball command signals are output to the prize ball substrate 37. Further, when there is a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99, if no detection signal has been input from any of the start port switch 17, V switch 22 and count switch 23 before that, game control is performed. The board 31 outputs a prize ball command signal to the prize ball board 37 for giving a command of paying out the number of prize balls of “10”.

  The prize ball number signal sent from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37 is received by a payout control microcomputer (not shown) provided on the prize ball board 37. The payout control microcomputer drives the ball payout device 97 to perform control for paying out the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball number signal.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the display control board 80 together with a CRT 82 for realizing image display. The display control CPU 101 incorporating the RAM 101a operates in accordance with a program stored in the control data ROM 102, and receives an INT signal (also called a strobe signal or an interrupt signal) from the game control board 31 via the input buffer 105a in the input buffer circuit 105. Is input, the display control CPU 101 enters an interrupt operation state and takes in display control command data. Then, display control of an image displayed on the CRT 82 is performed according to the fetched display control command data.

  Specifically, a command according to the display control command data is given to the VDP 103. VDP 103 reads necessary data from character ROM 86. The VDP 103 generates image data to be displayed on the CRT 82 in accordance with the input data, and stores the image data in the VRAM 87. The image data in the VRAM 87 is converted into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals (RGB signals), converted into analog signals by the D / A conversion circuit 104, and output to the CRT 82. .

  In FIG. 5, a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillation circuit 85 for supplying an operation clock to the VDP 103, a character ROM 86 for storing frequently used image data, and an input for inputting display control command data A buffer circuit 105 is also shown. The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the CRT 82.

  The display control CPU 101 has a built-in RAM 101a for storing display control command data, which will be described later. When a display control command is received from the game control board 31, a background or character determined in advance in each variation pattern. Is controlled to move and display on the screen. Note that the background and the character are switched at a predetermined timing, and the display control CPU 101 also controls them independently.

  In addition, the part that outputs display control on the game control board 31 side can output information from the inside of the game control board 31 to the outside, but cannot input information from the outside to the inside of the game control board 31. The output buffer circuit 63 is an irreversible output means. Similarly, the input buffer circuit 105 to which the display control command is input on the display control board 80 side also allows signal transmission only in the direction from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80, but from the display control board 80 side. This is an input interface having irreversibility that does not transmit a signal toward the game control board 31 side. Accordingly, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the display control board 80 side to the game control board 31 side, and even if unauthorized modification is added to the transmission path of the display control command, the signal output by the unauthorized modification is sent to the game control board 31 side. There is no transmission. For this reason, one-way communication between the game control board 31 and the display control board 80 is secured, and an illegal signal (data) is input to the game control board 31 via the transmission path of the display control command. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act that causes a proper control operation.

  4 and 5, the game control means including the basic circuit 53 and the variable display control means including the display control CPU 101 are separately configured (game control board 31, display control board 80). Since a part of the control burden related to the variable display control in the board provided with the game control means is distributed to the board side provided with the variable display control means, the game control means It is possible to reduce the control burden related to the variable display control in the provided board (game control board 31).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing various random counters used by the basic circuit 53 on the game control board 31 side for game control. FIG. 6 shows seven types of random counters C_RND1, C_RND_L, C_RND_C, C_RND_R, C_RND_RCH, and C_RND_NR.

  C_RND1 is a random counter used to determine whether or not the result of variable symbol special display based on the start-up memory is a big hit when there is a start-up memory. This random counter is incremented and incremented by 1 every timer interrupt (specifically every 0.002 seconds), incremented and updated from 0 to the upper limit of 293, and then incremented and updated again from 0. The

  C_RND_L, C_RND_C, and C_RND_R are random counters used to determine the type of stop symbol (definite symbol) that is finally stopped and displayed in the image display area 9.

  C_RND_L is for determining the left symbol. When C_RND_L is added from 0 and added up to 14 which is the upper limit thereof, it is added again from 0. C_RND_L is incremented by 1 every timer interrupt, that is, every 0.002 seconds. When a reach state in which the display result is out of place is displayed, the left symbol and the right symbol are determined by this C_RND_L, thereby determining the reach symbol.

  C_RND_C is a random counter for medium symbol determination, and is added from 0 again when it is added from 0 and added up to its upper limit of 14. C_RND_C is incremented by 1 every timer interruption, that is, every 0.002 seconds, and every interruption processing surplus time.

  C_RND_R is a random symbol for determining the right symbol, is added from 0 and is added up to 14 which is the upper limit thereof, and is added again from 0. C_RND_R is incremented by one for each carry of C_RND_C described above.

  C_RND_RCH and C_RND_NR are random counters for distributing the fluctuation pattern used to determine the fluctuation pattern. In particular, C_RND_RCH is a random counter used when the reach state is displayed, and C_RND_NR is a random counter used when the reach state is not displayed. Depending on whether or not the reach state needs to be displayed, either one of the counter values of C_RND_RCH and C_RND_NR is extracted, and the variation pattern is determined based on the extracted counter value, and the variation that can identify the determined variation pattern A variation start command including pattern data is output from the game control board 31 to the display control board 40. EXT data that specifies variation pattern data corresponding to each value of 0 to 7 of C_RND_RCH and EXT data that specifies variation pattern data corresponding to each value of 0 to 2 of C_RND_RCH are stored in basic circuit 53. ing.

  C_RND_RCH is added from 0 and added to 7 which is the upper limit thereof, and then added again from 0. Also, C_RND_NR is added from 0 and added to 2 which is the upper limit thereof, and then added again from 0. C_RND_RCH and C_RND_NR are incremented by 1 for each timer interrupt described above, that is, for every 0.002 seconds, and for each extra interrupt processing time.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure for determining whether or not the result of variable display of a special symbol based on the start memory is a big hit when there is a start memory.

  If there is a start win, the count value of C_RND1 is extracted. The extracted value of C_RND1 is stored in the special symbol determination bank. Here, the special symbol determination bank is a storage area for temporarily storing data of the extracted value of C_RND1 extracted in accordance with the start winning, and is provided in the work area of the RAM 55 of the basic circuit 53. . Since up to four start prizes are stored, the special symbol determination bank is constituted by a shift register having four storage areas of bank 0 to bank 3. In the special symbol determination bank, when the start winning is detected, the extracted value data of C_RND1 corresponding to the start winning is stored in the order of the special symbol determination banks 0, 1, 2, and 3.

  Specifically, the maximum four extracted values of C_RND1 corresponding to the start winning are stored, but the extracted value at the oldest timing is stored in the special symbol determination bank 0, and according to the start winning, the bank 1, Extracted values are stored in the order of 2 and 3. The extracted value stored in the bank 0 of the special symbol determination banks 0 to 3 is used to determine whether or not to generate a big hit. When the determination of bank 0 is completed, the stored data of bank 0 is cleared and the stored data of banks 1, 2, and 3 are shifted toward bank 0 by one bank. Then, the big hit determination according to the start winning memory is performed by repeatedly executing such a big hit determination and data shift.

  Note that the count value of C_RND_L is also extracted at the same time when the start winning is detected, and the extracted value is stored in the left symbol determination bank. The left symbol determination bank is also provided in the work area of the RAM 55 of the basic circuit 53 in the same manner as the special symbol determination bank, and the shift having four storage areas of the left symbol determination bank 0 to the left symbol determination bank 3 is provided. It consists of registers. In the left symbol determination bank, when the start winning is detected, the extracted value data of C_RND_L corresponding to the start symbol is stored in the order of the left symbol determination banks 0, 1, 2, and 3. go.

  Similarly, the count value of C_RND_C and the extraction of C_RND_R are also stored in the corresponding banks 0 to 3 provided.

  Next, a special symbol determination value for jackpot determination for determining the extracted value stored in the special symbol determination bank is set. Here, “7” is set as the special symbol determination value in the normal time (normal game state) other than the high probability time (probability fluctuation state). On the other hand, at the time of high probability, “7”, “11”, and “79” are set as special symbol determination values.

  Next, the set special symbol determination value and the extracted value are compared. In normal times, when the extracted value is “7”, it is determined to be a big hit, and otherwise it is determined to be out of place. . On the other hand, at a high probability, when the extracted value is “7”, “11”, or “79”, it is determined to be a big hit, and at other times, it is determined to be out of place.

  When it is determined that the jackpot is determined, the value of C_RND_L stored in the left symbol determination bank is referred to, and the jackpot symbol to be stopped at the doublet is determined based on the extracted value. On the other hand, if it is determined to be out of place, the values of C_RND_C and C_RND_R are extracted, and finally the image display area 9 is based on the extracted values and C_RND_L stored in the left symbol determination bank. The off symbol to be stopped is determined. Here, if the determined symbol is accidentally a symbol of a slot, “1” is added to the extracted value of C_RND_C, and the symbol is forcibly set as a symbol.

  The above processing described with reference to FIG. 7 is performed in advance before starting the variable symbol special display.

  Next, a part of the processing executed by the basic circuit 53 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing game control main processing and interrupt processing executed by the basic circuit 53. In FIG. 8, (a) shows a game control main process, and (b) shows an interrupt process.

  Referring to (a) of FIG. 8, in the game control main process, first, a stack setting process for setting a designated address of the stack pointer is performed (S1). Next, initialization processing is performed (S2). In the initialization process, it is determined whether an error is included in the RAM 55. If an error is included, the RAM 55 is initialized and various flags are initialized. Further, in the initialization process, a process of setting a timer interruption time (for example, 0.002 seconds) that defines timing for executing an interruption process, which will be described later, to the CPU 56 is performed. As a result, timing for defining the execution timing of the first interrupt process after reset due to power-on or the like is started.

  Next, a display random number update process for determining a stop symbol is performed (S3). In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the stop symbol of the special symbol in the variable display of the variable display device 8 is determined based on the random number (counter value of the random counter). In S3, the display random number for determining the stop symbol is updated. The display random number update process continues to be repeatedly executed by an infinite loop. However, when an interrupt process described later is started, the display random number update process is temporarily stopped at the position in the program that constitutes the display random number update process. When the interrupt process ends, execution resumes from the position of the paused program.

  Next, referring to (b) of FIG. 8, the interrupt process is performed every time the timer value for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 56 reaches the set value (the timer interrupt time set in S2 or S13). Execution starts.

  In the interruption process, first, a process for transmitting a predetermined command for generating a sound or controlling the LED lighting to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 is performed, and a hall management computer is provided via the information output circuit 64. Data output processing for transmitting data such as jackpot information, start-up information, probability variation information is performed (S4). Next, various abnormality diagnosis is performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and error processing is performed to generate an alarm if necessary according to the result (S5). Next, determination random number update processing for updating each random counter indicating various determination random numbers used for game control is performed (S6).

  Next, a special symbol process is performed (S7). In the special symbol process, one of a plurality of types of processing is selected and executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Next, a normal symbol process is performed (S8). In the normal symbol process, a corresponding process is selected and executed in accordance with a normal symbol process flag for controlling the normal symbol variable display 10 using the 7-segment LED in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, a display random number update process similar to S3 is performed (S10). Next, winning ball signal processing with the winning ball substrate 37 is performed (S11). That is, when a prize ball number request signal is input from the prize ball board 37, the basic circuit 53 selects a prize ball command (prize ball number designation signal) to be output to the prize ball board 37. Next, a prize ball command output process for outputting the selected prize ball command is performed (S12). The prize ball substrate 37 drives and controls the ball payout device 97 based on the prize ball number designation signal.

  Next, a timer interrupt time setting process is performed (S13). In S13, a process for setting the timer interruption time (for example, 0.002 seconds) as described above is performed in the same manner as in S2. After S13, this interrupt process ends. As a result, at the end of this interrupt process, the timer interrupt time is set by S13, and the timing for defining the execution timing of the next interrupt process is started. Therefore, the time for timer interruption is counted every time the interruption process is completed, and the interruption process is executed every time the timer interruption time elapses thereafter. When this interrupt process is completed, the execution of the main process program described above is resumed from the position where it was temporarily stopped.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol process. The special symbol process is a process executed in S7 of FIG. In this special symbol process, after the count switch process of S300a, the V switch process of S300b, and the special symbol start port switch process of S300c are sequentially executed, one of S300 to S307 is performed according to the value of the special symbol process flag. After any process is executed, the display control data process of S308 is executed. By executing this special symbol process, the variation of the special symbol is controlled and the control in the big hit state is performed. Here, the special symbol process flag is a flag that specifies a process to be executed when variable display of each special symbol is executed.

  First, in the count switch process (S300a), the state of the output signal of the count switch 23 is monitored, and it is determined whether or not there is a winning for the variable winning ball apparatus 19. Next, in the V switch process (S300b), the state of the output signal of the V count switch 22 is monitored, and it is determined whether or not there is a winning for the specific winning area. Next, in the special symbol start port switch process (S300c), the state of the output signal of the start port switch 17 is monitored to determine whether or not there has been a winning for the start port 14. Details of the special symbol start port switch process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 9, special symbol process flag values are shown as PF1 to PF8 on the left shoulders of steps S300 to S307. The special symbol variable display operation is divided into a plurality of processes, and is controlled to a state corresponding to the process designated by the data of the special symbol process flag.

  The special symbol variation waiting process (S300) determines whether or not there is a start prize (whether or not there is a start memory), and when there is no start prize, a demonstration screen which is a standby screen for waiting for a customer The command information for displaying the (demo screen) is set, and when there is a start winning, the special symbol process flag is updated to enable the transition to the special symbol determination process. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The special symbol determination process (S301) is a process of extracting data related to the start memory and determining in advance whether or not to make a big hit. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The special symbol setting process (S301a) is a process for setting a stop symbol. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The symbol variation setting process (S302) is a process for setting a variation pattern. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The symbol determination setting process (S303) is a process of outputting a symbol determination command for ending the variable display (to end the special symbol change) to the display control board 80. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The jackpot display process (S304) is a process of outputting a command for notifying the player that a jackpot has occurred to the display control board 80. Details are omitted here.

  The big winning opening opening process (S305) is a process of opening the attacker (opening / closing plate 20) of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 and outputting a display control command for starting a big hit to the display control board 80. Details are omitted here.

  The large winning opening opening process (S306) outputs a display control command for displaying the number of rounds to the display control board 80, and also counts the opening time during one round and the number of winning balls during one round. Is counted (10 counts) to determine whether or not a V prize has occurred. When one round is completed, the solenoid 21 for opening the big prize opening is made in a non-excited state by the processing for opening the big prize opening, and the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is closed. Details are omitted here.

  The big hit end process (S307) is a process executed when the big hit state is ended, and it is determined by this process whether or not the probability variation state is set. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The display control data process (S308) is a process for outputting the display control command data set in the various processes (S300 to S307) to the display control board 80. This display control data processing (S308) is always executed when the special symbol process is executed regardless of the value of the special symbol process flag. Details of the display control data processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol start port switch process. In the special symbol start port switch process, first, a process of checking the start port switch 17 is performed (SP0a). Thereby, it is checked whether or not the start opening switch 17 is in a state (ON state) in which a start winning ball is detected. Next, as a result of checking the start port switch 17, it is determined whether or not the start port switch 17 is in an ON state (SP0b). If it is determined that the start port switch 17 is not in the ON state, the special symbol start port switch process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the start port switch 17 is in the ON state, processing for loading the data of the winning memory counter is performed (SP1). Here, the winning storage counter is a counter for storing the number of start winnings, and is added and updated by SP9 which will be described later, and subtracted and updated by SE11 which will be described later. The winning storage counter is counted with “0” as an initial value and “4” as a maximum value.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the counter value of the loaded winning memory counter is “4” (pieces) which is the maximum value of the starting winning memory (SP2). Here, when it is determined that the maximum value is reached, the winning exceeds the maximum value of the start winning memory, and thus the special symbol start opening switch processing is terminated in order to invalidate the starting winning. On the other hand, if it is determined that the value is not the maximum value, a process for setting the storage address of the jackpot determination counter value (the counter value of C_RND1) (the address of the empty bank of the special symbol determination bank described above) is performed (SP3). ). The RAM 55 is provided with a special symbol determination bank area for storing the jackpot determination counter value. Here, an address for storing the jackpot determination counter value is designated. Next, the counter value for the big hit determination counter (C_RND1) is extracted, and the extracted value is stored in the address set in SP3 (SP4).

  Next, a process of setting a storage address of the left symbol determination counter value (counter value of C_RND_L) used for determining the big hit symbol (the address of the empty bank of the left symbol determination bank described above) is performed (SP5). . The RAM 55 is provided with an area for storing the left symbol determination counter value. Here, an address for storing the left symbol determination counter value is designated. Next, the counter value for the left symbol determination counter (C_RND_L) is extracted, and the extracted value is stored in the address set in SP5 (SP6).

  Next, processing for setting other counter values, specifically, the storage addresses of the counter values of C_RND_C and C_RND_R (the addresses of the above-mentioned banks for C_RND_C and C_RND_R, respectively) is performed ( SP7). The RAM 55 is provided with an area for storing such other counter values. Here, an address for storing such counter values is designated. Next, other counter values, specifically, C_RND_C and C_RND_R counter values are extracted and stored in the addresses set in SP7 (SP8). Next, a process of adding and updating the value of the winning memory counter by 1 is performed (SP9). As a result, the start winning memory is added and updated in accordance with the completion of the processing for starting winning memories at SP3 to SP8. After SP9, the special symbol start port switch process ends.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol variation waiting process. In the special symbol variation waiting process, it is first determined whether or not there is a winning (starting memory) (SB1). If there is no winning (starting memory), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (SB2). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the last time the demo screen was switched and displayed, the process ends without updating the special symbol process flag. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the demo screen is switched (SB3). Specifically, a display control command for switching the demonstration screen is set. In this pachinko gaming machine 1, when a predetermined memory does not exist and a special symbol cannot be changed after a predetermined time has elapsed, a predetermined demonstration screen is displayed in the image display area 9. The As the demonstration screen, two types of screen 1 and screen 2 are prepared as will be described later with reference to FIG. 21, and both screens are displayed after a predetermined time as long as the start memory does not exist. Can be switched alternately. Thereafter, if the start-up memory exists, a determination of YES is made in SB1, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value “2” that can execute the special symbol determination process (SB4), and the process ends.

  The display control command set in SB3 is output to the display control board 80 in the display control data process (S308) that shifts after the special symbol variation waiting process is completed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol determination process. In the special symbol determination process, it is first determined whether the probability variation flag is turned on, that is, whether the pachinko gaming machine 1 is being controlled to a high probability state (SA1). If it is controlled to the high probability state, the special symbol determination value data at the time of high probability, that is, the state of probability variation is set as the big hit determination data (SA3). Specifically, the special symbol determination value data in the case of the probability variation state is “7”, “11”, “79”.

  On the other hand, when not controlled to the high probability state, the special symbol determination value data at the time of low probability, that is, not in the high probability state is set as big hit determination data (SA2). Specifically, the special symbol determination value data at the normal time is “7”.

  After SA2 or SA3, processing for clearing the big hit flag is performed (SA4). As a result, the memory of the previous big hit state is cleared. Next, it is determined whether or not the jackpot determination random number stored in the special symbol determination bank 0 matches the special symbol determination value data set in SA2 or SA3 (SA5). In SA5, when the determination is made based on the high probability special symbol determination value data, one determination is performed using one selected special symbol determination value data among the plurality of special symbol determination values. Each of the plurality of special symbol determination values constituting the high-probability special symbol determination value data has a predetermined order used for determination, and is used for determination in SA5 in order from the special symbol determination value in the first order. . The special symbol determination value used for the determination in SA5 is sequentially updated by the process of SA8 described later, whereby determination on all the high probability special symbol determination value data is performed.

  When it is determined by SA5 that the stored data of C_RND1 in the special symbol determination bank 0 matches the special symbol determination value, a big hit is generated, and the process proceeds to SA6 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by SA5 that the stored data of C_RND1 in bank 0 for special symbol determination is not the special symbol determination value, the special symbol determination data used for the determination in SA5 is the data of the special symbol determination value in the next order. Processing to set as a value is performed (SA8). Here, each of the low probability special symbol determination value data and the high probability special symbol determination value data includes data called a determination end code in addition to the special symbol determination value. If the low probability special symbol determination value data is set for determination in SA5, a determination end code is always set in SA8. On the other hand, when the special symbol determination value data at the high probability is set for determination in SA5, after the determination using the special symbol determination value in the last order is performed in SA5, in SA8, the determination end code Is set.

  After SA8, it is determined whether or not the special symbol determination value data set in SA8 is a determination end code (SA9). If it is determined that the code is not the determination end code, the process returns to SA5 in order to determine the big hit using the next special symbol determination value set in SA8. Thereby, in the case of a high probability, the big hit determination by a plurality of special symbol determination values is repeatedly performed.

  If it is determined by SA5 that the stored data of C_RND1 in the special symbol determination bank 0 matches the special symbol determination value, a big hit flag is set to generate a big hit (SA6). Next, processing for setting a reach flag is performed (SA7). Here, the reach flag is a flag set when the reach state is displayed. By setting the reach flag, the reach state is displayed before the final display result is derived and displayed. After the reach flag is set in SA7, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that can shift to the special symbol setting process (SA12), and the process ends.

  If it is determined by SA9 that the code is the determination end code, all the big hit determinations using the special symbol determination value are ended and it is determined to be out of place. In this case, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that can be transferred to the special symbol setting process (SA12), and the process ends.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol setting process. In this special setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the limiter operation flag is set (SE1). Here, the limiter operation flag is a flag that is set in SD13 of FIG. 16 to be described later when it becomes necessary to operate the probability variation limiter. When the limiter operation flag is set, it is necessary to control so that the probability variation big hit does not occur. For this purpose, a special symbol table at the time of limiter operation is set (SE3). On the other hand, when the limiter operation flag is not set, it is not necessary to perform control so that the probability variation big hit does not occur, and therefore, a special symbol table at normal time is set (SE2).

  Here, the special symbol table is a table that defines a correspondence relationship between the count value of the random symbol for determining the stop symbol (C_RND_L, C_RND_C, C_RND_R) and the type of the special symbol. In the special symbol table at the normal time, all kinds of special symbols including the probability variation symbol are associated with the count value of the random counter for determining the stop symbol. On the other hand, in the special symbol table at the time of the limiter operation, special symbols excluding the probability variation symbols are associated with the count value of the random counter for determining the stop symbol.

  After the special symbol table is set in SE2 or SE3, special symbol data is extracted from the set special symbol table (SE4). Specifically, when the jackpot flag is set, the jackpot is based on the extracted value of C_RND_L already stored in the left symbol determination bank 0 and the special symbol table set in SE2 or SE3. The symbol is determined. On the other hand, if the big hit flag is not set, the extracted value of bank 0 for storing counter values of C_RND_C and C_RND_R, the extracted value of C_RND_L already stored in bank 0 for left symbol determination, and the normal time Based on the special symbol table, the scheduled stop symbol of the outlier symbol is determined. The scheduled stop symbol determined in SE4 is a final symbol derived and displayed as a variable display result.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the scheduled stop symbol of the left symbol and the scheduled stop symbol of the right symbol in the confirmed symbol data determined in SE4 match (SE5). If these scheduled stop symbols match, the reach flag is set (SE6), and then the process proceeds to SE7. On the other hand, if these scheduled stop symbols do not match, the reach flag is not set, and the process proceeds to SE7 as it is.

  Next, in SE7, a process of shifting data of the special symbol determination bank, the left symbol determination bank, and the other determination banks (the middle symbol determination bank and the right middle symbol determination bank) is executed. That is, the data in bank 0 is discarded and each data in banks 1 to 3 is shifted to the next bank. Thus, for example, in the case of a special symbol determination bank, the next data (the extracted value of C_RND1 newly shifted to bank 0) is used for the big hit determination process.

  Next, the data stored in the special symbol determination bank 3 is cleared (SE8). This is because it is no longer necessary to hold the stored data in the special symbol determination bank 3 before the data shift due to the data shift by SE7, and thus the extracted value of C_RND1 corresponding to the new start winning is specially set. It can be stored in the symbol determination bank 3.

  Next, a process of clearing the stored data of the left symbol determination bank 3 is performed (SE9). This is because it is not necessary to hold the stored data of the left symbol determination bank 3 before the data shift due to the data shift by SE7, so that the extracted value of C_RND_L corresponding to the new start winning is left It can be stored in the symbol determination bank 3.

  Next, a process of clearing the stored data of the other determination banks 3 (the middle symbol determination bank 3 and the right middle symbol determination bank 3) is performed (SE10). This is because it is no longer necessary to hold the stored data of the other bank 3 before the data shift due to the data shift by SE7, so that the extracted values of the other counters corresponding to the new start winnings are respectively set. Bank 3 can be stored. Thereafter, the special symbol setting process ends.

  Next, a process of subtracting and updating the value of the winning storage counter by 1 is performed (SE11). Thereby, the start winning memory is subtracted and updated in accordance with the completion of the process for digesting the start winning memories of SE1 to SE10.

  Next, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that can be transferred to the symbol variation setting process (SE12), and the process ends.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the symbol variation setting process. In this symbol variation setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the output timer has been set (SC1). The output timer is set in SC7, which will be described later, after command data specifying a special symbol variation pattern (such as a variable display period) is set in the output data storage area. If the output timer is not set, it is determined whether the reach flag is set. The reach flag is set in SE6. If it is determined that the reach flag is set, the value of the reach fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_RCH is extracted (SC3). If it is determined that the reach flag is not set, normal fluctuation distribution is performed. The value of the random counter for use C_RND_NR is extracted (SC4). Thereafter, a variation pattern is set based on the value of the random counter extracted in either SC3 or SC4 (SC5).

  The variation pattern set in the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 does not specifically specify the display aspect, but simply specifies whether or not the variable display period and the reach state need to be displayed. . When receiving the variation pattern, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 uniquely determines an effect mode corresponding to the variation pattern.

  Next, variation pattern data that can identify the set variation pattern is set in the output data storage area (SC6). The output data storage area is an area for storing command data output to the display control board 40. The command data set in the output data storage area is output to the display control board 80 as a change start command in the display control data processing shown in S308 of FIG. Next, an output timer corresponding to the variation pattern is set (SC7). For example, when the variable display period specified by the variation pattern is 29.5 seconds, the time corresponding to the variable display period is set as the output timer. The game control board 31 starts subtraction update of the output timer from the time when the variation pattern data set in the output data storage area is output to the display control board 40, and the timer value of the output timer becomes 0. At the time, the process flag is updated by SC10 described later, and the process proceeds to the symbol determination setting process.

  Next, the fixed symbol data determined in SE4 described above is set in the output data storage area (SC8).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the output timer is 0 (SC9). When the timer value of the output timer is not 0, it can be determined that the variation of the special symbol is continued in the variable display device 8 because the variable display period corresponding to the variation pattern has not ended. Therefore, in this case, the symbol variation setting process is terminated without performing the process of updating the process flag. As a result, when the special symbol process (see FIG. 9) is executed again, this symbol variation setting process is executed again, and it is determined that the output timer has been set in SC1, and the output timer in SC9 again. It is determined whether or not the timer value is zero. If the timer value of the output timer is 0, it can be determined that the condition for deriving and displaying the display result by terminating the variable display of the special symbol in the variable display device 8 is satisfied. Is updated to a value that can execute the symbol determination setting process (SC10).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the symbol determination setting process. In the symbol determination setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the output timer has been set (SC18). Here, the output timer is a timer that measures a waiting period after a symbol determination command (to be described later) is output to the display control board 80. Since the display control command is not output during the standby period timed by the output timer, the fixed symbol that is stopped and displayed in response to the reception of the symbol fixed command is displayed in the image display area 9 of the variable display device 8. It is in a state where it is continuously displayed for the period.

  If the output timer has not been set, the variable display is terminated (the special symbol variation is terminated), and a symbol confirmation command for displaying the confirmed symbol is set in the output data storage area (SC19). The output data storage area is an area for temporarily storing command data output to the display control board 80. The command data set in the output data storage area is output to the display control board 80 as a symbol confirmation command in the display control data processing shown in S308 of FIG. Next, a predetermined timer value is set in the output timer (SC20). The timer value set here is a value corresponding to the waiting period.

  This output timer uses each process (S300 to S307) in order to take timing with display control on the display control board 80 side such as counting the variable display period (fluctuation time) in addition to the above-described continuous display period of the fixed symbol. ) In the required process. Note that the time (update) of the set output timer is performed by display control data processing (S308).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the output timer has become 0 (SC21). If the timer value of the output timer is not 0, the process ends without updating the special symbol process flag. In this case, in the display control data process (S308) executed after the symbol confirmation setting process, the symbol confirmation command set in SC19 is output to the display control board 80, and the output timer is updated. After that, when the process proceeds to the special symbol process process again, the process proceeds to the symbol determination setting process again because the special symbol process flag has not been updated. In such a case, it is determined in SC18 that the output timer has been set, and it is determined again in SC21 whether the timer value of the output timer is 0 or not. If the timer value of the output timer is 0, the fixed symbol continuation display period has ended, so that a determination of YES is made in SC21 and the value of the special symbol process flag can execute the jackpot display processing. It is updated to “5” or a value “1” that can execute the special symbol variation waiting process (SC22). Specifically, when the big hit flag is set, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to “5”, and when the big hit flag is not set, the value of the special symbol process flag is “1”. Updated to

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the big hit end process. In the jackpot ending process, the symbol confirmation setting process shown in FIG. 15 is finished, and then the jackpot display process (S304), the big prize opening opening process (S305), and the big prize opening opening process (S306) are finished. In this case, the special symbol process flag value is updated to “8”.

  In this jackpot ending process, it is first determined whether or not the output timer has been set (SD1). Here, the output timer is a timer that measures a jackpot end notification continuation period in which the image display for jackpot end notification is continued. When the output timer has not been set, the display data at the end of the jackpot is set in the output data storage area (SD2). Next, the output timer is set to a value corresponding to the jackpot end notification continuation period (SD3). Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the output timer is 0 (SD4). If the timer value of the output timer is not 0, the special symbol process flag value is not updated and the jackpot end process is once ended. In this case, the display control data processing (S308) is executed next, so that the big hit end display data set in the output data storage area in SD2 is output to the display control board 80, and the output timer is set. Updated. After that, when the special symbol process is executed again, the special symbol process flag is not updated, so the process shifts to the big hit end processing again. It is determined that the output timer has been set in SD1 and output in SD4. It is determined whether or not the timer value of the timer is zero. If the timer value of the output timer is 0 at this time, since the jackpot end notification continuation period has ended, processing for loading the left stop symbol is executed (SD5). The left stop symbol is a left symbol stopped as a confirmed symbol in the image display area 9 at the time of a big hit, and is a symbol corresponding to the confirmed symbol data extracted and set in SE4.

  Next, the type of the loaded left stop symbol is determined, and it is determined whether the left symbol is a probability variation symbol (SD6). If it is determined that the symbol is a probable variation, a probability variation flag is set (SD7). As a result, the gaming state is changed to a probability variation state. Next, the count value of the probability variation counter is updated by 1 (SD8).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in SD6 that it is not a probability variation symbol, the probability variation flag is cleared (SD10), and the probability variation counter is cleared (SD11). Further, the limiter operation flag is cleared (SD12). Thereafter, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value “1” that can execute the special symbol variation waiting process (S300), and the jackpot ending process ends.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining display control data processing. In the display control data processing, first, an output data storage area is referred to (SX1), and it is determined whether a display control command to be output is stored (SX2). If the display control command to be output is not stored, the process proceeds to SX11 described later.

  On the other hand, for example, when a display control command such as a change start command is stored in the output data storage area and then the display control data process is performed, a YES determination is made in SX2. Of the stored 2-byte 1-unit command data, the first MODE data of the first byte is set as output command data (SX3). Next, display control data output processing is executed (SX4). By executing the display control data output process, the MODE data set in SX3 is output to the display control board 80. Details of the display control data output process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, EXT data in the second half of the second byte of command data stored in units of 2 bytes is set as output command data (SX5). Next, an output standby process is executed (SX6). The output waiting process is a process for adjusting the time so that the second byte of EXT data is output after a predetermined period after the output of the first byte of MODE data is completed. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. Note that this output standby processing can be omitted depending on the performance of the display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side. That is, the first byte of MODE data and the second byte of EXT data may be continuously transmitted. After the output standby process is completed, a display control data output process (SX7) for outputting the EXT data set in SX5 is executed.

  Next, the type of the output display control data is determined, and it is determined whether or not the display control data is other than the fixed symbol designation command (SX8). The fixed symbol designation command is a command for designating a fixed symbol, and is a command set in the output data storage area in the SC12. If the output display control data is other than the fixed symbol designation command, the timer value of the output timer set in any of the special symbol process processing except the symbol fixed setting processing (S303) is updated ( SX11). Thereby, for example, when the output display control command is a change start command, the timing of the output timer set corresponding to the change pattern in SC7 is started, and the variable display period on the game control board 31 side is started. Is timed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in SX8 that it is a confirmed symbol designation command, it is determined whether or not all the confirmed symbol designation commands have been output (SX9). The fixed symbol designation command needs to output a total of three symbols in order to designate a fixed symbol (scheduled stop symbol) for each left middle right symbol. If all these three confirmed symbol designation commands are output, the process ends after the timer value of the output timer is updated in SX11. If not, the next certain symbol designation command is output. Is set (SX10), and then the timer value of the output timer is updated in SX11, and then the process ends. In this case, when the process shifts to the display control data process again, the next fixed symbol designation command is still stored in SX2, and the process of outputting the fixed symbol designation command is executed in SX3 to SX7. Then, when the output of the third confirmed symbol designation command is completed, a determination of YES is made in SX9.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the output standby process. In this output standby process, first, an output standby counter is set (SX100). The output standby counter is a counter for setting a wait time between data outputs after transmitting the second byte of EXT data after transmitting the first byte of MODE control data of 2 bytes. Next, the output standby counter is subtracted and updated (-1) (SX101). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the output standby counter is 0 (SX102). If the output standby counter is not 0, the process proceeds to SX101 again. Then, when the output standby counter reaches 0, the output standby process ends. Note that the wait time from the transmission of the MODE data to the transmission of the EXT data, that is, the count value of the output standby counter is set according to the performance of the display control board 80 that is the receiver of the output data as described above. Is done.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the display control data output process. In the display control data output process, first, output data (output command data) is set in the output port (SY1). Next, the INT signal indicating that the output data signal is valid is set to ON (SY2). Next, an output standby counter is set (SY3). The output standby counter here determines a period for transmitting 1-byte data, that is, a period for maintaining the ON state of the INT signal. The count value of the output standby counter varies depending on the performance of the display control board 80 on the output data receiver side.

  Next, the value of the output standby counter is subtracted and updated (-1) (SY4). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the output standby counter is 0 (SY5). If the value of the output standby counter is not 0, the process proceeds to SY4 again. Then, when the value of the output standby counter becomes 0, the INT signal is set to OFF (SY6), and the display control data output process ends.

  In the special symbol process as described above, the determination processing of the processing necessary for determining the variation pattern of the special symbol is executed by sequentially executing a subroutine as a plurality of types of determination processing step groups. However, as shown in the game control main process and the interrupt process of FIG. 8, the entire series of processes related to the control of the gaming state must be executed within the processing time of the interrupt process. In contrast, a plurality of types of subroutines as a plurality of types of determination processing step groups constituting a process are executed at an execution rate of one type of subroutine within the processing time of one interrupt processing. Therefore, various determination processes required for variable display control can be performed in accordance with an interrupt process with a limited processing time.

  20 to 23 are explanatory diagrams for explaining display control commands. The display control command is composed of a total of 2 bytes of data including MODE data composed of 1 byte data and EXT data composed of 1 byte data. Of these, MODE data is data that designates the type of display control data. On the other hand, the EXT data is data that specifically designates a specific display control content among the command types indicated by the MODE data. FIG. 20 shows a change start command specified by the MODE data “80H”. FIG. 21 shows special screen command data designated by the MODE data “81H”. FIG. 22 shows fixed symbol designation command data designated by the MODE data “90H” to “92H”. FIG. 23 shows the jackpot screen designation command data designated by the MODE data “82H”.

  First, referring to FIG. 20, as the change start command, 11 types of commands for specifying the display control contents by EXT data “00H” to “0AH” are prepared. Among these, the fluctuation start command corresponding to the EXT data “00H” to “02H” is data of the normal fluctuation pattern 1 to the normal fluctuation pattern 3 that specifies that the reach state is not displayed. The other command data includes a normal reach fluctuation pattern 1 to a normal reach fluctuation pattern 4, a super reach fluctuation pattern 1, a super reach fluctuation pattern 2, a super reach fluctuation pattern 3, and a full-rotation fluctuation pattern that specify that the reach state is to be displayed. Command data. As shown in the figure, a display time (variable display period) is designated by each change start command.

  Normal fluctuation pattern 1 to normal fluctuation pattern 3 are distributed according to the count value of the normal fluctuation distribution random counter shown in FIG. Specifically, the normal fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_NR is updated in the range of 0 to 2 as shown in FIG. 6, but the value of the normal fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_NR is extracted in the SC4. Are selected from the normal fluctuation pattern 1 to the normal fluctuation pattern 3 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, other fluctuation patterns with reach are distributed according to the count value of the random counter for reach fluctuation distribution shown in FIG. Specifically, the reach fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_RCH is updated in the range of 0 to 7 as shown in FIG. 6, but the value of the reach fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_RCH is extracted in SC3. Are selected from the normal reach fluctuation pattern 1 to the normal reach fluctuation pattern 4, the super reach fluctuation pattern 1 to the super reach fluctuation pattern 3, and the full rotation fluctuation pattern shown in FIG.

  Although various variation patterns corresponding to each variation start command are shown in the figure, the specific effects corresponding to each variation pattern are actually uniquely determined on the display control board 80 side. That is, the information instructed by the change start command is only information on the variable display period. Therefore, as long as the two types of information are followed, it is possible to freely design an effect pattern corresponding to each of the EXT data “00H” to “0AH” and store the design data in the ROM on the display control board 80 side. An example of the variation pattern designed according to the above two types of information is shown in the display content column corresponding to each EXT data shown in the figure. Therefore, for example, the reach of the total rotation variation pattern corresponds to the EXT data “0AH”, but as long as the contents of the “display time (variable display period) T11” designated by the EXT data “0AH” are followed, It is also possible to adopt a variation pattern based on the reach production.

  When a specific display time (variable display period) is designated by a change start command, the display time itself may be designated as a command instead of being designated by the EXT data shown. For example, when the variable display period is 10 seconds, “0AH” that specifies the time may be used as the EXT data.

  Next, referring to FIG. 21, as special screen command data, four types of commands for specifying the display control contents by EXT data “00H” to “03H” are prepared. The power-on screen designated by the EXT data “00H” is data for designating a screen to be displayed in the image display area 9 when the pachinko gaming machine is turned on. Thereby, when the power of the pachinko gaming machine is turned on, a screen with 4 for the left symbol, 4 for the middle symbol, and 5 for the right symbol is displayed. When the customer waiting standby screen 1 specified by the EXT data “01H” and the customer waiting standby screen 2 specified by the EXT data “02H” are determined to have no start memory in the special symbol fluctuation waiting process of FIG. It is a demonstration screen displayed alternately. For example, the customer waiting standby screen 1 is a jackpot display screen, and the customer waiting standby screen 2 is a missed display screen. In SB3 of FIG. 11, a display control command composed of 2 bytes of MODE data “81H” and EXT data “00H” or “01H” is set. The error screen specified by the EXT data “03H” is data for specifying a screen to be displayed in the image display area 9 when an error occurs in the pachinko gaming machine.

  Next, referring to FIG. 22, as the fixed symbol designation command data, command data designated by MODE data “90H”, “91H”, and “92H” for the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol, respectively. Is prepared. And a definite symbol is designated by EXT data “00H” to “0EH”. For example, “90H 00H” designates that the left symbol is a numeric symbol “0”, and “91H 01H” designates that the middle symbol is a numeric symbol “1”. Then, “92H 0EH” designates that the determined symbol for the right symbol is “E” for the English symbol.

In this way, since the display control command includes the fixed symbol designation command data that can specify the display result of the special symbol to be derived and displayed,
The display result derived and displayed on the variable display device 8 can be specified.

  Next, referring to FIG. 23, as the big hit screen designation command data, a plurality of types of commands for designating the display control contents by EXT data “00H” to “30H” are prepared. For example, the EXT data “00H” specifies to display the big hit start screen, and the EXT data “01H” specifies to display the big hit first round screen. When a big hit occurs, these commands are output to the display control board 80 in order from the higher order command.

  FIG. 24 is a timing chart for explaining the relationship among the execution timing of the subroutine, the output timing of the display control command, and the variation of the left middle right symbol in the special symbol process.

  When the start winning ball is detected by the start port switch 17 (ON in the figure), the special symbol variation waiting process, the special symbol determination process, the special symbol setting process, and the symbol variation setting process described above are sequentially executed accordingly. Is done. Among these processes, the special symbol variation waiting process is executed at the time of interrupt processing when the start winning ball detection process (special symbol start port switch process of S300c) is executed. After that, a special symbol determination process, a special symbol setting process, and a symbol variation setting process are sequentially executed every interrupt process of 0.002 seconds.

  In the interrupt processing in which the symbol variation setting process is executed, the display control data for output of the variation start command and the confirmed symbol designation command is set in the output data storage area by the symbol variation setting process, and the variation command is executed by executing the display control data processing. Is output. That is, first, the change start command “80H xxH” specified by the MODE data “80H” is output from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. Note that “80H xxH” is one of the commands “80H 00H” to “80H 0AH” shown in FIG. At the timing when this change start command is received by the display control board 80, the simultaneous change of the special symbol is started. As described above, the special symbol variation display is started 0.006 seconds after the execution of various processes as described above from the time when the start winning is detected.

  As described above, the presence / absence of reach and the variable display period are specified by the type of the change start command. Based on the command, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 determines reach contents, presence / absence of jackpot notice effect, and the like.

  The special symbol variable display is started in response to the output of the start-of-change command after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the detection of the start winning is triggered, and the time when the trigger is triggered. During the period from the detection of the start winning prize to the output of the change start command, to determine the jackpot, the determination for determining the variation pattern of the special symbol, and the determination for determining the scheduled stop symbol of the special symbol In addition, various processes as described above are executed. As a result, before the fluctuation start command is output, that is, before the fluctuation display is started, the jackpot determination, the determination for determining the variation pattern of the special symbol, and the special symbol scheduled stop are already performed. Predetermined determination processing necessary for determining the variable display mode in the image display area 9 of the variable display device 8 such as determination for design determination is completed.

As described above, the change start command is output after the elapse of a predetermined period after the start condition of detection of the start winning is established, but various determinations as described above necessary for determining the variable display mode within the predetermined period. Execution of the process is completed. That is, various determination processes are completed at the stage before the change start command is output, that is, before the change of the special symbol is started. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the control burden related to the variable display control in the basic circuit 53 from being excessively biased after the start of the change before and after the start of the change of the special symbol. as a result,
Control processing relating to variable display control in the basic circuit 53 can be performed smoothly.

  After the start of the simultaneous variation of the special symbol due to the output of the variation start command, every time there is an interrupt process, the game control board 31 displays the three fixed symbol designation commands corresponding to the left middle right symbol to the display control board 80 Are output in order. The figure includes a left symbol design command 1 “90H XXH”, a middle symbol design symbol designation command 2 “91H XXH”, and a right symbol design symbol designation command 3 “92H XX”. It is shown that “H” is output in that order. “XXH” is any one of “00H” to “0EH” shown in FIG. On the display control board 80 side, the final design type to be derived and displayed as the display result is determined based on this final design designation command.

  As the variation pattern of each symbol, for example, a pattern is shown in which the acceleration variation changes to the low-speed variation through the high-speed variation, and the fixed symbol is stopped and displayed via the shaking variation. In the timing chart shown in the figure, the left symbol is first switched from the low speed fluctuation to the fluctuation fluctuation, and then the low speed fluctuation is changed to the fluctuation fluctuation in the order of the right symbol and the middle symbol. In addition, a predetermined notice (a big hit notice, a reach notice, etc.) is displayed by an effect method by changing the character or background in the middle of acceleration fluctuation. Furthermore, display for various reach effects is started from the stage when the right symbol is switched from high speed fluctuation to low speed fluctuation.

  A symbol confirmation command is output from the game control board 31 when the variation time Tn specified by the variation start command has elapsed since the simultaneous variation of symbols has started. As a result, the fluctuation of the symbol ends, and the confirmed symbol is stopped and displayed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 24, from the game control board 31 side to the display control board 80, regarding the change of the special symbol, the “change start time”, “determined symbol”, “symbol determined time” Only three types of information are output. The display control board 80 uniquely determines the contents of reach production and the presence / absence of a notice in accordance with these three types of information.

  In addition, since the change start command is output at the timing when the variable display device 8 is variably started, and the symbol confirmation command is output at the timing when the display result is derived and displayed, the display control on the display control board 80 side is performed by these commands. The CPU 101 can specify the variable start time and the time when the display result is derived and displayed. Furthermore, the change start command includes data that can specify a change pattern such as the variable display period and the presence / absence of reach, and the display control CPU 101 can also specify the change pattern in addition to the variable start time by the command. .

  FIG. 25 is a timing chart for explaining display control command data output timing and display control command data capture timing on the display control board 80 side. As described above, the timer interruption time on the game control means (basic circuit 53) side is 2 ms. A display control command is output during the timer interruption time of 2 ms.

  First, the basic circuit 53 starts outputting 1-byte (D0 to D7) MODE data in accordance with the timer interrupt, and switches the INT signal from the invalid state to the valid state. On the display control board 80 side, MODE data is fetched at the timing when the INT signal is switched from the invalid state to the valid state. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the INT signal is switched from the valid state to the invalid state. Subsequently, output of 1-byte (D0 to D7) EXT data is started, and the INT signal is disabled for a predetermined waiting time, and then switched to a valid state. On the display control board 80 side, EXT data is taken in at the timing of switching to the effective state.

  In this way, the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 does not continuously output the same display control command data to the display control board 80, but provides display control by providing a predetermined waiting time. In consideration of the data reception performance on the substrate 80 side, the display control command data is output only once in a manner that the display control substrate 80 side can recognize. Thereby, the processing load when the basic circuit 53 outputs the display control command data to the display control board 80 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to facilitate control related to output of command information.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used for display control on the display control board 80 side. FIG. 26 shows four types of random counters D_RND_Z1, D_RND_Z2, D_RND_L1, and D_RND_L2.

  D_RND_Z <b> 1 and D_RND_Z <b> 2 are random counters for determining the type of stop symbol other than the fixed symbol designated by the game control board 31. D_RND_Z1 is incremented and updated one by one in display random number processing 1 described later, and is incremented and updated from 0, and is incremented and updated up to 14, which is the upper limit, and then incremented and updated again from 0. D_RND_Z2 is incremented and updated one by one in display random number processing 2 to be described later, and is incremented and updated from 0 to the upper limit of 14, and then incremented and updated again from 0.

  D_RND_L1 is a random counter used to determine a hit line for displaying a confirmed symbol based on a confirmed symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 side. For example, if the confirmed symbol based on the confirmed symbol designation command is a jackpot combination (for example, 777), the hit line for displaying the jackpot combination is determined by this D_RND_L1. On the other hand, when the confirmed symbol based on the confirmed symbol designation command is a combination of deviations (for example, 123), a hit line for displaying the combination of deviations is determined by this D_RND_L1. D_RND_L1 is incremented and updated one by one in display random number processing 1 to be described later, is incremented and updated from 0, and is incremented and updated to 20 which is the upper limit thereof, and then incremented and updated again from 0.

  D_RND_L2 is a random counter used to determine the number of hit lines displayed in the image display area 9. D_RND_L2 is incremented and updated one by one in display random number processing 2 described later, and is incremented and updated from 0, and is incremented and updated up to 20 which is the upper limit thereof.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a display control main process executed by the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80. In the display control main process, first, a process of initializing the RAM 101a, I / O, VDP and the like is executed (S601). Subsequently, an INT interrupt process is executed (S602). Details of the INT interrupt processing will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, display random number update processing 1 is executed (S603). By executing the display random number update process 1, the addition update of D_RND_Z1 and D_RND_L1 shown in FIG. 26 is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S602, and the processes of S602 and S603 are repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining timer interrupt processing. A timer interrupt occurs every 2 ms, for example. At the time of the timer interruption that occurs every 2 ms, the timer interruption process shown in the figure is executed and display control is performed. In the timer interrupt process, first, a display control process process is executed (S701). The display control process is a process for performing various displays in the image display area 9 according to the value of the display control special symbol process flag. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, display random number update processing 2 is executed (S702), and D_RND_Z2 and D_RND_L2 shown in FIG. 26 are added and updated.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining the INT interrupt processing. In the INT interrupt process, first, it is determined whether or not a command reception completion flag is set (S501). The command reception completion flag is a flag that is set in S512 or S515 described later when reception of one unit of display control command is completed. If the command reception completion flag is not set, the process proceeds to S503. If it is determined that the command reception completion flag is set, the command reception flag is reset (S502), and then the process proceeds to S503. To do. The command reception flag is a flag that is set in S506 (to be described later) when the INT signal is switched from the invalid state (off state) to the on state (valid state), and indicates that display control command data is being received. It is a flag to show.

  In S503, it is determined whether or not the INT signal is in an on state (valid state). If the INT signal is not on, the process ends. If the INT signal is on, it is determined whether the command receiving flag is set on (S504). If the command receiving flag is already set to ON, the process proceeds to S507 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command reception flag is not yet set to ON, the pointer is cleared (pointer = 0) (S505), and then the command reception flag is set and the command reception completion flag is reset. Processing is performed (S506). The pointer shown in S505 is for designating the address of the display control command storage area for storing the received data when one of the two bytes constituting the display control command data is received. Is.

  Next, a process of saving the received data in the display control command storage area indicated by the pointer is executed. For example, when the processing of S507 is executed after the pointer is cleared in S505, the first byte of the display control command data is saved in the head area of the display control command storage area. .

  Next, it is determined whether or not the stored data is a change start command (S508). If it is determined that the command is a change start command, a process of updating the pointer by 1 is executed (S510), and then it is determined whether the pointer after the addition is updated is 2 (S511). . As described above, since the change start command is composed of a pair of data of MODE data and EXT data, if the pointer value after addition update in S510 is 2, the display control command is already stored. The second byte of EXT data is stored in the area, and one unit of change start command is stored. Therefore, if it is determined in S511 that the pointer value is 2, a command reception completion flag is set (S512), and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S511 that the value of the pointer has not yet reached 2, the process ends without setting the command reception completion flag.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the display control command received in S508 is not a change start command, it is determined whether or not the type is a confirmed symbol designation command (S509). If it is not a confirmed symbol designation command, the process proceeds to S510 described above, but if it is determined to be a confirmed symbol designation command, a process of updating the pointer by 1 is executed in S513. Next, it is determined whether or not the pointer value after the addition update is 6 (S512). As described above, a total of three defined symbol designating commands are output corresponding to the left, middle, and right symbols, and each command is composed of a pair of data of MODE data and EXT data. If the value of the pointer after the addition update in S514 is 6, it means that all of the three confirmed symbol designation commands have been received. Therefore, in this case, a command reception completion flag is set (S515), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the value of the pointer has not reached 6, since the reception of all the confirmed symbol designation commands has not been completed, the processing is terminated without setting the command reception completion flag.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining the display control process. In this display control process, after the command process (S800) is executed, each process of S801 to S805 is executed according to the value indicated by the display control process flag. In FIG. 30, special symbol process flag values are shown as PF1 to PF5 on the left shoulders of steps S801 to S805.

  Command processing (S800) is processing for determining the type of the received display control command and updating the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the type of the display control command. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. The variation display process (S801) is a process for setting the variation content of the symbol and displaying the variation of the symbol. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The symbol determination process (S802) is a process for ending variable display of symbols, the big hit display process (S803) is a process for performing display control during the big hit state, and the display screen process (S804) is a demonstration. The error display process (S805) is a process for displaying that information when the gaming machine is in an error state. Detailed description of these S802 to S805 will be omitted.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining command processing. In the command processing, first, it is determined whether or not a command reception completion flag is set (S901). If the command reception completion flag is not set, the process ends. If the command reception completion flag is set, it is determined whether there is a command reception flag (S902). If there is a command receiving flag, the process ends. If there is no command receiving flag, the contents of the received command are determined in S903, S905, S907, and S909. That is, if it is determined that the command is a change start command (YES in S903), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that can execute the change display process (S904), and the process ends. If it is determined that the content of the received command is a symbol determination command (YES in S905), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value at which symbol determination processing can be executed (S906), and the process ends. . If it is determined that the received command is a jackpot command (YES in S907), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value at which the jackpot display process can be executed (S908), and the process ends. .

  If it is determined that the content of the received command is a display screen command (YES in S909), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that allows display screen processing (S910), and the process ends. . If it is determined that the received command is neither a change start command nor a symbol confirmation command, neither a big hit command nor a display screen command, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that can execute error display processing ( S911), the process ends. The case where the value of the special symbol process flag is updated in S911 is a case where the received command is an uncontrollable command (for example, garbled data).

  FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the count value extracted from the aforementioned D_RND_L1 and D_RND_L2 and the hit line. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the hit line in the image display area 9 of the variable display device 8. The display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side determines the hit line as follows.

  When the extracted value of the random counter D_RND_L1 is 0, as shown in FIG. 32, the hit line 1 becomes a hit line for displaying the confirmed symbol, and the confirmed symbol is arranged on the hit line indicated by 1 in FIG. Display controlled. When the extracted value of the random counter D_RND_L2 is any of 0 to 7, it is determined that only the hit line 1 is displayed as shown in FIG. 32, and only the hit line indicated by 1 in FIG. Appears in the image display area 9.

  When the extracted value of D_RND_L1 is 1 or 2, the hit line indicated by 2 in FIG. 33 is the hit line on which the fixed symbol is displayed. When the extracted value of D_RND_L2 is any one of 8 to 13, display control is performed so that two hit lines indicated by 1 and 2 in FIG.

  When the extracted value of D_RND_L1 is any one of 3 to 5, the line indicated by 3 in FIG. 33 is a hit line on which the fixed symbol is displayed. When the extracted value of D_RND_L2 is any one of 14 to 16, display control is performed so that three hit lines 1, 2, and 3 in FIG. 33 appear. In this way, the position of the hit line where the confirmed symbol is displayed is determined based on the extracted value of D_RND_L1 according to the table of FIG. 32, and is displayed in the image display area 9 based on the extracted value of D_RND_L2 according to the table shown in FIG. The number of hit lines is determined.

  As described above, since the number of hit lines and the hit line for displaying the fixed symbol are determined not on the game control board 31 side but on the display control board 80 side, the game control board 31 side of the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 side is determined. The control burden can be reduced. Also, by changing only the control program on the display control board 80 side without changing any control program on the game control board 31 side, the number of hit lines can be increased or decreased, and the development burden can be reduced. The control content described above will be described later with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a symbol setting table that stores display data for special symbols displayed in the image display area 9. If the confirmed symbol (scheduled stop symbol) is determined by the confirmed symbol designation command (see FIGS. 22 and 24), it is determined which of the 1 to 6 hit lines shown in FIG. The determined symbol data is stored in the symbol data storage location corresponding to the determined hit line.

  For example, when the line 3 shown in FIG. 33 is determined as the hit line for displaying the fixed symbol and the fixed symbol is determined to be “7”, the first byte and the second row in the first row and the first column in FIG. The symbol code corresponding to the jackpot symbol “7” is stored in the 5th byte of the 2nd column and the 9th byte of the 3rd row and the 3rd column, and in other symbol data storage locations, a stop symbol which will be described later with reference to FIG. The symbol data determined by the setting process is stored.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining the variable display process. This variation display process is a process executed in S801 of FIG. In the variation display process, a symbol variation process (S1000), a confirmed symbol setting process (S1001), a stop symbol setting process (S1002), and a display line setting process (S1003) are executed in order.

  In the symbol variation process (S1000), the variation display of the special symbol is performed with the variation pattern specified by the variation start command. By executing this process, the special symbol variation display is executed at the timing shown in FIG. The change start command is information indicating a change pattern in which the change time can be specified, and the display control CPU 101 performs control to variably start at a timing related to receiving such information in which the change time can be specified. Therefore, the variation time and the variation pattern can be grasped at the variable start time, and display control adapted to the variation time can be performed. Thereby, the control for the variable display in the display control CPU 101 can be facilitated.

  The fixed symbol setting process (S1001) will be described with reference to FIG. 36, the stop symbol setting process (S1002) will be described with reference to FIG. 37, and the display line setting process (S1003) will be described with reference to FIG. .

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining the fixed symbol setting process. In the fixed symbol setting process, first, the stop symbol display setting table is cleared (S1101). Thereby, the previous symbol data stored in the stop symbol display setting table shown in FIG. 34 is cleared, and the final symbol data can be stored. Next, the value of D_RND_L1 is extracted (S1102). Next, based on the extracted value of D_RND_L1, a hit line for stopping and displaying the confirmed symbol is determined among the hit lines shown in FIG. 33, and the stop symbol display setting table corresponding to the determined hit line is stored in the storage area of the stop symbol display setting table. The symbol data based on the confirmed symbol designation command is set (S1103), and the confirmed symbol setting process ends.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining the stop symbol setting process. In the stop symbol setting process, first, an address of a stop symbol display setting table (symbol setting table) is designated (S1201). As shown in FIG. 34, the stop symbol display setting table has nine 3 × 3 symbol data storage areas. In S1201, first of all, the first symbol data storage area among the nine symbol data storage areas. The address of the storage area is specified. Next, it is determined whether or not symbol data has already been set at the designated address (S1202). If the symbol data has already been set, the address value is updated to a value specifying the address of the next storage area (S1203), and again in the symbol data storage area specified by the updated address in S1202 It is determined whether or not symbol data has already been set. By executing S1202 and S1203, a symbol data storage area in which symbol data is not stored is detected. In this case, NO is determined in S1202 and the value of D_RND_Z1 is extracted (S1204). Subsequently, the symbol data is determined based on the extracted value of D_RND_Z1, and the determined symbol data is set in the symbol data storage area corresponding to the designated address (S1205). Next, based on the symbol data set in S1205, it is determined whether or not a jackpot arrangement occurs (S1206). This determination is performed to determine whether or not a symbol that will be a big hit (for example, a scrambled symbol) is obtained as a result of setting a new symbol in S1205. Originally, the shifted symbol is stored in the symbol data storage table. It is to check whether the combination of symbols of the big hit happens to happen despite the schedule. If it is determined that the unscheduled jackpot arrangement is established, D_RND_Z2 is extracted (S1207), and the symbol data based on the extracted value is temporarily replaced with the symbol data stored at the designated address and set. As a result, when an unscheduled jackpot symbol combination is established, it is adjusted so that the symbol combination is forcibly removed.

  Next, the address value designating the symbol data storage area is updated (S1208). Next, the updated address value is referred to, and it is determined whether or not symbol data has been set in all symbol data storage areas (S1209). If there is a symbol data storage area for which symbol data has not yet been set, a NO determination is made in S1209, and the process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1209 that the symbol data has been set in all symbol data storage areas, the all symbols set flag is set (S1210), and the stop symbol setting process ends. The all symbols set flag is a flag indicating that the symbol data storage processing in the symbol data storage table has been completed.

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining the display line setting process. In the display line setting process, first, the value of D_RND_L1 already extracted in S1102 is read (S1301), and then the value of D_RND_L2 is extracted (S1302). Next, the hit line number determined based on D_RND_L1 (see FIG. 33) and the hit line number determined based on the value of D_RND_L2 are compared, and the hit line number is greater than the number of appearing lines. It is determined whether it is larger (S1303). If the hit line number is larger than the number of appearance lines, the number of display lines is set based on the extracted value of D_RND_L1 (S1306). On the other hand, if NO is determined in S1303, it is determined whether or not the arrangement based on the symbol designated by the confirmed symbol designation command is a jackpot arrangement (S1304). In the case of an out-of-order arrangement, the number of display lines is set based on the extracted value of D_RND_L1 in S1306. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit arrangement, the number of display lines is set based on the extracted value of D_RND_L2 (S1305). By executing the processing of S1303 to S1306, the number of lines is likely to increase in the case of big hits compared to the case of loss. After the number of display lines is set in S1305 or S1306, the display line setting process ends.

  In this display line setting process, when the number of hit lines to be displayed is determined, depending on the arrangement relationship of the symbols other than the fixed symbol set in the stop symbol setting process described above, the line other than the hit line where the fixed symbol is displayed There is a possibility that a reach state is established in the hit line. For example, referring to FIG. 33, when the hit line for displaying the fixed symbol is determined to be 1 and the number of hit lines to be displayed is determined to be 6, the fixed symbol set in the stop symbol setting process If there is a combination that matches two big hit symbols of the same type in the hit line other than line number 1 among the symbols other than, the reach state is established in the hit line other than the hit line on which the confirmed symbol is displayed. It will be. In this way, it is possible to display the reach state on a hit line different from the hit line for displaying the definite symbol, and this can widen the range of effects.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance pattern of special symbols displayed separately in the image display area 9 and a hit line at each appearance stage. First, as shown in FIG. 39 (a), the identification information (special symbol) is variably started by the variable display section (identification information generation section) 203 at the left middle right. In that state, the hit line is one side.

  Next, FIG. 39B shows a state in which two pieces of identification information (special symbols) are generated separately from the left variable display unit 203 and two special symbols (generation identification information) 201 are displayed. . In this state, the hit line is a total of two hit lines, one horizontal row and one vertical row.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 39 (c), one symbol is separated from the middle variable display portion 203 and one special symbol is displayed. In this state, there are three hit lines, one in the horizontal direction, one in the vertical direction, and one in the two diagonal directions. Next, FIG. 39D shows a state where two symbols are separated from the right variable display portion 203 and two special symbols are displayed. In this state, there are a total of five hit lines: one in the horizontal direction, two in the vertical direction, and two on the diagonal diagonal.

  FIG. 39E shows a state in which one symbol is further separated from the middle variable display unit 203 and two extracted symbols are displayed from this state. In this state, there are six hit lines, one in the horizontal direction, three in the vertical direction, and two on the diagonal diagonal.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 39, after the three variable display sections are variably started in the mode of FIG. 39A in which only one hit line is formed, a plurality of hit lines are formed. Since the number of hit lines is increased and the number of hit lines can be increased, a greater sense of expectation can be given to the player. In particular, as described with reference to FIG. 38, the number of lines is more likely to increase in the case of a big hit than in the case of a loss, so that such a player's expectation is not betrayed.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a screen example of variable display by the image display area 9. As shown in FIG. 40A, at the time of variable start, identification information (special symbol) is variably displayed on the three variable display sections 203. The number of hit lines at this time is one, and the line number is 1 shown in FIG. Thereafter, an image in which the character 202 shoots the left variable display portion 203 is displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 40B, the symbol 201 that is changing upward is separated from the left variable display portion 203 and displayed.

  Furthermore, when the character 202 shoots the left variable display portion 203 once again and the middle variable display portion 203, the changing symbol is displayed above the left variable display portion 203 as shown in FIG. Two symbols are displayed, and one symbol that is changing is displayed separately above the middle variable display portion 203. In this state, a total of two hit lines, one in the horizontal direction and one in the vertical direction, are generated.

  Thereafter, if the character 202 fires the middle variable display unit 203 again and further fires the right variable display unit 203 twice, as shown in FIG. Two symbols appear, and two symbols that fluctuate above the right variable display unit 203 appear. As a result, a total of 8 hit lines of 3 in the horizontal direction, 3 in the vertical direction, and 2 in the oblique direction are generated.

  In this manner, after the special symbol variable display is started, the number of symbols that are changing in the middle of the display is sequentially increased, so that the number of hit lines is increased and the player's expectation is enhanced.

  Thereafter, all the special symbols are stopped, and the state shown in FIG. At this time, the confirmed symbols based on the confirmed symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 are arranged on a hit line determined on the display control board 80 side. For example, in FIG. 40 (e), the confirmed symbols are arranged in the hit line number 3 shown in FIG. Furthermore, when all the special symbols are stopped as described above, the symbol display frame corresponding to the hit line determined on the display control board 80 side is emphasized as shown in FIG. Displayed. Thereby, the player can easily identify the confirmed symbol.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 40 (f), the number of symbols and the arrangement of the variable display portions return to the state shown in FIG. 40 (a) at the start of the change, and the confirmed symbols received from the game control board 31 in advance. The display result based on the confirmed symbol according to the specified command is displayed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 40, after the three variable display portions are variably started in the mode of FIG. 40A in which only one hit line is formed, a plurality of hit lines are formed. When the display result is displayed and then the display result is displayed, the player can enjoy the change in the display state and the display result is derived and displayed. Again, it becomes easy to identify that the display result has been derived and displayed because it is in the variable start mode.

  FIG. 39 is a specific example in which the character 202 inflates soap bubbles, and the number of appearing soap bubbles hits and the lines are different. At the beginning of the variable display, as shown in FIG. 39A, when two special symbols 201 are displayed and then the character 203 inflates a soap bubble, identification information (special symbol) is contained in the soap bubble. It is displayed and the number of special symbols increases. FIG. 39 (b) shows a state where the number of special symbols is five, and FIG. 39 (c) shows a state where the number of special symbols is increased to eight. If it will be in the state shown by this FIG.39 (c), the display control which shows a definite symbol will be made. Specifically, the display is highlighted such that three of the eight soap bubbles are surrounded by the black frame shown in the figure, thereby showing three definite symbols. Thereby, the player can easily identify the confirmed symbol. At this time, the determined symbols based on the determined symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 are arranged on the hit line determined on the display control board 80 side. For example, in FIG. 39 (c), the confirmed symbol is 7, and is arranged in the hit line number 3 shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 39 (d), only the confirmed symbol “7” is displayed in the image display area 9 according to the confirmed symbol designation command received in advance from the game control board 31, and the other soap bubble symbols are Disappear.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a display screen of the image display area 9. FIG. 40 shows a specific example in which the number of hit lines sequentially increases due to the separation of special symbols that are changing. As shown in FIG. 40 (a), if only the left, middle and right symbols start to change in a state where only one horizontal hit line is configured, and reach the left and right symbols, the state shown in FIG. 40 (b) is obtained. Thus, a predetermined symbol (6 in FIG. 40) of the middle symbols is temporarily stopped. As a result, the display state is once changed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 40 (c), the two symbols are split from the middle symbol that is stopped. One of the symbols moves below the left stop symbol, and accordingly, the left stop symbol moves upward. On the other hand, the other symbol of the split symbol moves above the right stop symbol, and accordingly, the right stop symbol moves downward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 40 (d), special symbols are displayed in the image display area 9 in two rows and three columns, and the hit line increases from one horizontal line to two diagonal diagonal lines. . Note that the symbol pattern to be split is different from the special symbols that are stopped to the left and right so that the player can easily identify the type of the symbol.

  Thereafter, the middle symbol starts to change again, and as shown in FIG. 40 (e), the middle symbol is once again stopped and displayed. Next, as shown in FIG. 40 (f), the middle symbol is split again, and as shown in FIG. 40 (g), the hit line is changed from two diagonal diagonal lines to two diagonal diagonal lines and one horizontal line. Increase to 3 books. FIG. 40 (g) shows the reach state established by two diagonal diagonals and one horizontal. Thereafter, for example, as shown in FIG. 40 (h), when "7" is derived and displayed on the middle symbol, a big hit is generated by one horizontal hit line. At this time, the confirmed symbol [7] based on the confirmed symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 is in a state of being arranged on a hit line determined on the display control board 80 side.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 40 (i), the display state of the image display area 9 is set to a display state constituted by one horizontal hit line at the time of variable start, and the confirmed symbol received from the game control board 31 in advance. Only three confirmed symbols are displayed in the image display area 9 according to the designation command.

Next, modifications and feature points of the embodiment described above are listed below.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, as the display control command data, the change start command and the fixed symbol designation command are taken as examples, and the variation start command and the fixed symbol designation command are displayed from the game control board 31 at different timings. It was configured to output to the control board 80. However, instead of this, for example, the fixed symbol data may be included in the change start command, and the variable display period and the fixed symbol may be designated by one command.

  (2) The reach state includes a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information. After the plurality of variable display units start variably, the display of the plurality of variable display units In the gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the result is a combination of specific identification information on at least one hit line among the multiple hit lines, In a stage where a part of the display result of the variable display unit is not yet derived and displayed, the display result that has already been derived and displayed is the specific result on at least one hit line of the plurality of hit lines. A display state that satisfies the conditions for a combination of identification information.

  In other words, the reach state is a combination of the specific identification information even when the variable display control of the variable display device progresses and reaches a stage before the display result is derived and displayed. A display mode that does not deviate from the display condition. For example, the reach state includes a state in which variable display by the plurality of variable display units is performed while maintaining a state where the combination of the specific identification information is aligned.

  The reach state is a display state at the time when the variable display control of the variable display device progresses to reach a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and before the display result is derived and displayed. It means a display state in a case where at least a part of the determined display results of the plurality of variable display sections satisfies a condition for combining the specific identification information. In addition, some reach is likely to generate a big hit when it appears compared to a normal reach. Such a specific reach is called super reach.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of types of subroutines as a plurality of types of determination processing step groups constituting the special symbol process processing shown in FIG. In the above example, the execution rate of one type of subroutine is sequentially executed every time an interrupt process is executed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of types of subroutines are processed within the processing time of one interrupt process. May be executed. Even in this case, various determination processes required for variable display control can be performed in accordance with an interrupt process with a limited processing time. That is, in a broad sense, not only the execution ratio of one type of determination processing step group within the processing time of one interrupt processing, but also a plurality of types of determination processing step groups within the processing time of multiple interrupt processings You can just run it.

  (4) The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Specific examples of means for solving problems]
(1) The pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the like has a variable display device (variable display device 8, more specifically an image display area 9) whose display state can be changed. A gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific game state (big hit state) advantageous to the player when the display result is a predetermined specific display mode (a display mode in which the big hit symbols are aligned) is configured. ing.

  The basic circuit 53 shown in FIG. 4 constitutes a game control means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine and outputting command information (command) for controlling display on the variable display device. ing.

  The display control CPU 101 or the like shown in FIG. 5 receives the command information output from the game control means, performs control to derive and display the display result after variably starting the variable display device according to the command information. Variable display control means is configured.

  The game control means includes start condition determination means, variable display determination processing means, and command information output means.

A special start memory port switching process shown in FIG. 10, that is configured the start condition determining means for variably displaying of starting conditions in the variable display device determines whether it has established.
The variable display mode in the variable display device is based on the fact that the start condition determining means determines that the start condition is satisfied by the process processing subroutine in the special symbol process shown in FIG. Variable display determination processing means for performing predetermined determination processing (for example, determination for jackpot, determination of variation pattern, determination of scheduled stop symbol, etc.) necessary for determining the number of times.

The display control data processing step shown in FIG. 17 constitutes command information output means for outputting the command information for commanding variable display control in a variable display mode determined based on the determination result of the variable display determination processing. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the command information output means is configured to receive the command information after a predetermined period of time (for example, 0.006 seconds) after the start condition determination means determines that the start condition is satisfied. Is output.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the variable display determination processing means completes the execution of the predetermined determination process within the predetermined period.

  (2) As shown in FIG. 20, the command information includes variable display time information that can specify a variable display time of the variable display device (a variable display time can be specified by information of a variation pattern). As shown in FIG. 24, the variable display control means performs control to variably start the variable display device at a timing related to receiving the variable display time information included in the command information.

  (3) As shown in FIG. 22, the command information includes display result information (determined symbol information) that can specify a display result derived and displayed on the variable display device.

  (4) As shown in FIG. 24, the command information output means includes confirmation information that can specify that the display result is to be confirmed and displayed at a timing to confirm the display result to be derived and displayed on the variable display device. Outputs command information (design confirmation command).

  (5) As shown in FIG. 24, the command information output means outputs the command information of the same type only once in a manner that the variable display control means can recognize at a timing that requires output of the command information. To do.

  (6) As shown in FIG. 8, each time a predetermined interrupt process is executed, the game control means performs the entire series of processes related to the control of the gaming state within the processing time of the interrupt process. Execute.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the variable display determination processing means includes a plurality of types of determination processing steps (steps of special symbol determination processing shown in FIG. 12, special symbols shown in FIG. A step of setting processing, a step of symbol variation setting processing shown in FIG. 14, and the like). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the variable display determination processing means executes a plurality of types of determination processing step groups within a processing time of the interrupt processing a plurality of times (for example, one time When executed at one type of execution rate within the processing time of the interrupt process, this includes both cases of executing at a plurality of types of execution rate within the processing time of one interrupt process).

  (7) As shown in FIG. 8, each time a predetermined interrupt process is executed, the game control means performs the entire series of processes related to the control of the gaming state within the processing time of the interrupt process. Execute.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the variable display determination processing means includes a plurality of types of determination processing steps (steps of special symbol determination processing shown in FIG. 12, special symbols shown in FIG. A step of setting processing, a step of symbol variation setting processing shown in FIG. 14, and the like). As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the variable display determination processing means performs a plurality of types of determination processing step groups at a single execution rate within the processing time of the one interrupt processing. It is executed sequentially each time the loading process is executed.

  (8) The variable display determination processing means includes a specific gaming state determination means, a display result determination means, and a variable display pattern determination means. Specific game state determination means for determining whether or not to enter the specific game state is determined by steps such as SA5 shown in FIG. The display result determination means for determining the display result of the variable display device by determination is configured by steps such as SE1 to SE4 shown in FIG. The variable display pattern determining means for determining the variable display pattern (variation pattern) in the variable display device by determination is configured by the steps SC2 to SC5 shown in FIG.

  (9) The game control board 31 shown in FIG. 4 constitutes a first control board. The display control board 80 shown in FIG. 5 constitutes a second control board configured separately from the first control board. As shown in FIG. 4, the game control means is provided on the first control board. As shown in FIG. 5, the variable display control means is provided on the second control board.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine, 8 Variable display apparatus, 9 Image display area, 53 Basic circuit, 17 Start-up switch, 101 Display control CPU, 31 Game control board, 80 Display control board.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine having a variable display device capable of changing a display state and capable of being controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to a player when a display result of the variable display device is in a predetermined specific display mode. There,
Means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine, and game control means for outputting command information for controlling display on the variable display device;
And a variable display control means for performing control to derive display the display result after starting the variable display in the variable display device in accordance with the instruction information output from the recreation control means,
The game control means includes
Starting condition determining means for determining whether or not a variable display starting condition is satisfied in the variable display device;
Based on the fact that the starting condition is determined by the starting condition determining means, a predetermined determination process is performed to determine a variable display mode of variable display in the variable display device . Determination processing means;
Command information output means for outputting the command information for commanding variable display control in a variable display mode determined based on a determination result of the predetermined determination process ,
The instruction information output unit, as the command information, the timing for starting variable display of said variable display device, and outputs a variable start instruction information capable of specifying whether to execute the variable display time and reach demonstration, display result The derivation display command information is output at the timing of derivation display.
The variable display control means performs control to start variable display in the variable display device when the variable start command information is output, and executes a reach effect based on the variable start command information, and the derived display command Control the derivation and display of the display result when information is output,
The command information output means outputs the variable start command information after elapse of a predetermined period after the start condition determination means determines that the start condition is satisfied,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the variable display determination processing means completes the execution of the predetermined determination processing within the predetermined period.

Images